New mesothelioma treatment research shows promise

New mesothelioma treatment research shows promise

New mesothelioma treatment research to determine whether chemotherapy before surgery and radiotherapy can prevent mesothelioma recurrence may be an important step forward for the treatment of this rare cancer of the lining of the chest caused by asbestos exposure.
This new treatment mesothelioma study is an attempt to build on previous clinical trials that have shown the promise MD Anderson, which involved extra pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) surgery in which the affected lung and lining of the chest is removed. This is followed by intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).
What is really unique about this new treatment mesothelioma study is the fact that this is the first attempt to investigate the use of chemotherapy before surgery and radiotherapy.
Results of tests earlier this new treatment mesothelioma
Previous tests of this new mesothelioma treatment involving extrapleural pneumonectomy and IMRT was 90 percent effective in preventing a local recurrence in patients. But about half of patients who underwent trials got a recurrence in a different location. Often, it was the other lung or another part of the body.