Mesothelioma Treatment

While surviving mesothelioma is still very unlikely, there are always significant advancements being made in its treatment. According to mesothelioma treatment leader, New York Presbyterian Hospital, a new, exciting avenue of current research into cancer treatment is built upon the observation that abnormalities in certain genes, (chemical structures in the cell nucleus determining patterns of growth and function) are fundamentally related to the cancer process, and to resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy. One of these genes, p53, is known to be abnormal in the malignant cells of many patients with mesothelioma. In order to repair this defect, a non-replicating, noninfectious designer virus has been specially grown in the laboratory which is intended to enter the malignant cells, and reintroduce normal p53 genetic material. Cells carrying this normal p53 gene, although still malignant, can become more susceptible to conventional chemotherapy drugs. In a mesothelioma treatment study being conducted at New York Presbyterian Hospital's Cancer Center, this noninfectious virus is injected directly into the abdominal or chest cavity of patients with mesothelioma who are then given chemotherapy.

At the same time, various clinical trials are advancing the course of mesothelioma treatment . Such trials include the use of surgery, chemotherapy using onconase plus doxorubicin or doxorubicin and radiation therapy. PET Scanning for Sarcoma Diagnosis and Management

Mesothelioma treatment is also being aided by Positron Emission Tomography, or PET, a new technique for imaging tissues of the body. Unlike the CAT scan and the MRI, PET visualizes tissues that are actively metabolic, such as growing malignant tissues. PET scanning has therefore proven valuable in evaluating disturbances in the normal body anatomy (masses or lumps in the extremities, muscles, chest or abdomen) to help assess whether they are benign or malignant. It is of particular value in detecting local recurrences or tumor after surgical removal. It is also increasingly used, on an experimental basis to rapidly determine whether chemotherapy can inhibit metabolism and growth of sarcomas. While not truly a mode of mesothelioma treatment, these advances in PET scanning provide aid to the mesothelioma patient by allowing his physician to have an ongoing and accurate ability to assess the progress of treatment. The Kreitchman PET center facility at New York Presbyterian Hospital is well-equipped for these investigations, which have been incorporated into several of the clinical trials now underway for Sarcoma, and Mesothelioma.

While it is true that no other asbestos related disease is as life threatening as malignant mesothelioma, one must always be aware that facilities such as New York Presbyterian Hospital are working constantly to advance the cause of mesothelioma treatment. Indeed, other forms of asbestos related disease, especially asbestosis, have no available treatments whatsoever. For the sufferer of mesothelioma and his family, the value of mesothelioma treatment is its pure ability to preserve both the quality of life and life itself. Other research facilities around the world are performing similar work. It is regretful that the widespread and longstanding manufacture and use of asbestos containing materials have made this work so very crucial. In the end, these facilities and researchers offer hope to sufferers of a disease that only a few years promised little other than death.

For more information on Mesothelioma Treatment, please visit NIH: Mesothelioma Treatment, PR - Emerging Mesothelioma Treatments, ODP: Mesothelioma Treatment, Yahoo! Mesothelioma Treatment.

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