Voters Pass Marijuana Reform, Providing Help to Suffering Cancer Patients

Marijuana is seen beneficial against mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma cancer patients and families who prefer for alternative treatment options saw a glimpse of hope after voters in Massachusetts, Colorado and Washington voted that limited access to marijuana should be to provide cure against mesothelioma. A recent study in California revealed that a chemical compound found in marijuana has the potential to stop the metastasis of certain aggressive cancers like mesothelioma.

Study Demonstrates Mesothelioma Risk from Shipbuilding

Mid-20th century ship builders diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer

Shipbuilding in the 20th century have placed workers at risk of mesothelioma, reports Surviving Mesothelioma. A study in Italy revealed frequent occurrence of Mesothelioma from the 1940s to the 1960s in the shipbuilding town of Malfacone. Similarly, U.S. shipbuilders, particularly in Hamptons Road, Virginia revealed mesothelioma statistics that was 700% higher than the national average. 

Researchers Find Clue to Prevent Heart Damage in Mesothelioma Patients Treated with Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin, a drug against mesothelioma cancer,
could lead to heart failure.

Researchers at the University of Texas discovered the reason behind the cardiotoxity of Doxorubicin, a platinum-based drug used to combat mesothelioma, and certain types of cancer. According to Mesothelioma Help, the drug was discovered to cause heart failure in some patients.  The researchers said that their findings will help improve cancer care since it will lead to developing new, heart-friendly drugs to treat mesothelioma.

Tracking Genetic Susceptibility to Mesothelioma

Only 10 percent of those who are exposed to asbestos
really develop mesothelioma cancer

Mesothelioma Help reports that according to researchers from the Human Genetics Foundation in Turin, only 1 out of every 10 people exposed to asbestos are actually at risk pleural mesothelioma cancer. This is because of the genes, where “certain combinations of gene variants may create sensitivity to asbestos fibers, perhaps by altering cell division rate.”

Mesothelioma Study Suggests Trimodal Falls Short

Radical surgery not really effective in treating mesothelioma cancer.

Surviving Mesothelioma reports that the intense trimodal treatment approach, such as extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) does not really help patient survive mesothelioma cancer.  Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is a radical surgical approach for pleural mesothelioma, wherein the diseases mesothelium is removed as well as the nearest lung, other body linings, and all or part of the diaphragm. This procedure is followed by a chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  The sad thing is, trimodal approach has a high risk of serious complications and even death, although it also guaranteed longterm survival for a few lucky patients.

Statin Use Could Reduce Mortality in Mesothelioma Patients

Mesothelioma Help reports that findings of a recent research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine revealed that large cell lung cancer patients who undergo surgery have better chances of survival and at the same time minimize their risk of recurring ailments by taking statins. Statin is a type of medicines that effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels.  Another study conducted in Denmark seconded the findings in U.S.

Mesothelioma Drug Slows Disease Progression in Patients With an Inactive NF2 Gene

A new drug gives hope to mesothelioma cancer patients.

Initial results from the preliminary trial of a new drug for patients with mesothelioma could reveal that it shows some success in preventing the spread of the deadly disease in patients with low active tumour suppressor gene called NF2, reports Science Daily.

Australian Electricians Fear Mesothelioma Risk

Electricians at risk of mesothelioma

Australia’s Electrical Trades Union urged electricians and electricity-related workers not to modify or work with electrical boxes they have been audited after news spread that meter-box workers are not really protected against asbestos-containing meter boxes, reports Surviving Mesothelioma. This could put them at risk of mesothelioma cancer.

FDA Grants Orphan Drug Status To Amatuximab (MORAb-009)

Amatuxinab is granted orphan drug status.

OncLive.com reports that the Food and Drug Administration had granted orphan drug status to Amatuximab, which is used to treat patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, the most common form of mesothelioma. Amatuximab (MORAb-009) is a monoclonal antibody which targets mesothelin, a cell surface glycoprotein linked to cell adhesion is manifested on specific types of cancer, including mesothelioma cancer, as well as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, epithelial ovarian cancer, and lung adenocarcinoma. 

ALIMTA® Extends Survival in Continuation Maintenance Setting for Specific Lung Cancer Patients

ALIMTA® Extends Survival in Continuation Maintenance Setting for Specific Lung Cancer Patients (via redOrbit)

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that patients may receive ALIMTA(®) (pemetrexed for injection) as a maintenance therapy following first-line ALIMTA plus cisplatin for locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer…

Simmons Law Firm Secures $3 Million Jury Verdict Against Crane Co. for Family of Mesothelioma Victim

Simmons Law Firm Secures $3 Million Jury Verdict Against Crane Co. for Family of Mesothelioma Victim (via PR Newswire)

BUFFALO, N.Y., Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC, a nationwide leader in asbestos litigation, announced today that a New York jury has awarded a $3 million verdict to the family of Gerald Suttner, a pipefitter who died from mesothelioma, an incurable cancer…

What are the Causes of Mesothelioma?

Know the causes of mesothelioma

In the medical sector, Mesothelioma cancer is often described as a rare cancer caused completely by exposure to asbestos. It affects the threadlike protective membrane that surrounds the lungs, heart and abdominal cavity. It has been documented that there are approximately 3,000 cases diagnosed in the United States every year. Most of these conditions are traced to an occupational exposure.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma Cancer: Take Heed and Get Early Treatment

Know the symptoms of mesothelioma cancer
(Photo credit: Mesothelioma.Name)

The revealing warnings of mesothelioma cancer may consist of prolonged coughing, pains in the chest and back, low energy and weight loss. A medical practitioner has the capacity to undertake a general check-up including the x-ray to determine the causes of these warning signs. This will allow the doctor to prescribe the necessary treatment and medications for early prevention of this dreaded ailment. However, several factors have to be considered such as the actual position of the cancer cells, the growth stage and preferences of the afflicted person. Among the conventional treatment alternatives are surgical procedures, radiation methods and chemotherapy.

Mesothelioma Risk Factors: How Do You Know When You're Susceptible to Mesothelioma Cancer?

Thousands of people are at risk of mesothelioma cancer (Photo credit: Elslaw.com)

Various types of cancers have already been listed in medical annals. In the United States alone, the National Cancer Institute revealed that more than one million cases are detected every year and almost 500,000 cancer patients do not survive. Because of these alarming statistics, it is extremely beneficial to know the most common of these diseases for prevention purposes. The ordinary forms include breast, lungs, cervical, colon and prostate cancers.

Blood protein signatures could prompt early mesothelioma cancer diagnosis

Researchers discovered blood protein signatures could prompt
mesothelioma detection (Photo credit: Glogster.com).

Researchers at SomaLogic - a privately-held protein biomarker discovery and clinical diagnostics company in Boulder, Colorado – discovered a blood protein signature for mesothelioma cancer that hastens the diagnosis of the disease. This could also mean earlier treatments that prolong the life of a mesothelioma patient, writes Pat Guth of Mesothelioma.com.

Inhibitor May Reduce Mesothelioma Fluid and Prolong Survival

Endostar brings promise of helping patients
recover from mesothelioma cancer.

Endostar, a drug based on endostatin, a compound derived from human collagens, may aid chemotherapy in treating mesothelioma fluid buildup. In Endostatin serves as an anti-angiogenic agent, preventing a certain type of vascular development that boosts the growth of cancer cells. By effectively clogging the natural formation of tumor-feeding blood vessels, Endostar works in ‘starve’ mesothelioma cells,thus, causing tumors to shrink.

Research explores “Adaption and Reaction” among cancer patients

Study explores the level of depression a person with
 mesothelioma  undergoes

A recent study conducted by Frank J. Infurna explored the levels of depression during prediagnosis, reaction stage (0-2 years after diagnosis) and reaction stage (24 months after the diagnosis) of patients suffering from mesothelioma cancer. Path Guth of Mesothelioma.com writes that “Results concluded that symptoms of depression rose dramatically during the initial reaction period and continued to rise during the adaption period, but only moderately. Although Infurna reported different results for each patient examined, he noted that a clear pattern emerged; namely ‘participants with better memory and better cancer prognoses had smaller increases in depressive symptoms than those with poorer cognitive skills and less favorable cancer outcomes.’”

Blood test may detect mesothelioma cancer

Blood test could detect mesothelioma cancer

“The blood test, along with a lung fluid test, looks for a protein in plasma called fibulin-3 that indicates whether a person has mesothelioma cancer, which is often triggered by asbestos exposure, or was simply exposed to asbestos,” writes Serena Gordon of USNews.com.

Patients with mesothelioma have fibulin-3 four-five times higher than the normal, said study author Dr. Harvey Pass, a professor of thoracic oncology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. This study was recently published at the New England Journal of Medicine.

Mesothelioma Metastasis Closer to Being Understood and Stopped

Metastasis is the reason mesothelioma cancer.

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have discovered that metastasis is the primary cause of nearly 90 percent of mesothelioma cancer deaths. This is a mechanism that permits cancer cells to destroy the initial tumor site and spread to other parts of the body. Usually, cancer cells stay in one place, but with this latest discovery, scientists could now look for further explanation how cancer cells break free and migrate. This is another milestone that will help take a step further on cancer treatment.

Mesothelioma Today Volume 5

Asbestos could put you at risk of mesothelioma

Today’s news tackles the link between asbestos and mesothelioma, and how mesothelioma patients could foresee better chances of survival by rising T-cell counts after chemo.

Mesothelioma Today Volume 4

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Today’s news highlights the recently concluded 11^th Annual International Mesothelioma Interest Group Conference , as well as a recent study in Hawaii that could forewarn people about the possibilities of developing mesothelioma cancer.

The 11th Annual International Mesothelioma Interest Group Conference : A Meeting of the Minds

According to Mesothelioma News, The 11^th Annual International Mesothelioma Interest Group (iMig) Conference in Boston welcomed more than 500 participants who discussed central topics of mesothelioma cancer, particularly, the most recent medical developments. 

Mesothelioma Today Volume 3

The Zadroga Act now covers mesothelioma

Today’s report on mesothelioma cancer, includes research on the right therapy to combat mesothelioma, the expanded Zadroga Act to cover 9/11 heroes who contracted mesothelioma, a recent medical finding that helps treat mesothelioma patients, a recent court ruling to the side of the mesothelioma victim and fake cigarettes containing deadly asbestos.

Mesothelioma Today Volume 2

Clinical trial is one way for early detection and cure of
mesothelioma cancer. 

Today’s top updates on mesothelioma involve the importance of clinical trial for early detection of mesothelioma symptoms. From tragedy to a lifelong reminder of a fateful event, Lily, Montana’s asbestos exposure finds its way to classroom discussions. On the legal sides, you’ll also read about Larry Maseksho, lawyer for 37 years and expert in mesothelioma and asbestos-related litigations. Then, find out how getting adequate knowledge about mesothelioma could be a real life saver.

SU2C Telethon Serves as a Reminder to Mesothelioma Patients that Clinical Trials are Critical to Beating Cancer. Stand Up 2 Cancer Telethon held last Friday resented facts and statistics, research information, and real-life stories that remind us all that cancer is far too prevalent in the United States, but that it can be beaten.  More about this at MesotheliomaHelp.com. 

Mesothelioma Today volume 1

My interest with mesothelioma continues to spark, so I decided to launch Mesothelioma Today here at Everything About Mesothelioma. So, expect for daily updates and news about this deadly disease .

Mesothelioma: Everything That You Should Know About This Rare Cancer

The tissues that are most susceptible to mesothelioma

There’s a tissue in the body called mesothelium and you can find this lining the lungs, stomach, heart  and other vital organs. Now, according to Cancer Help UK, once these tissues are exposed to risk factors, specifically asbestos, an individual becomes susceptible to a rare type of cancer we call mesothelioma cancer.