Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare and deadly form of cancer almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos, and it occurs in a layer of tissue lining the lungs known as the mesothelium. If the cancer occurs in the tissue lining the chest cavity, it is know as malignant pericardial mesothelioma, and if it occurs in stomach it is know as malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. However, it should be noted that all forms of malignant mesothelioma are very aggressive and can spread rapidly to other parts of the body, regardless of where the tumors initially form.
According to a recent feature from News-Medical, a new drug known as Bevacizumab, is showing promising signs that it may increase survivability in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. The news drug is in the trial stages, and studies have been conducted in what is known as Phase III of the development to market pipeline for a new pharmaceutical.
The study is known as the open label Mesothelioma Avastin Cisplatin Pemetrexed Study or “MAPS” as those in the industry commonly call it. MAPS trials involved around 450 patients where diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. While the average age of a mesothelioma patient tends to be much higher, there were patients as young as 18 years of age. These patients were randomly administered either cisplatin and pemetrexed, which is the standard of care for mesothelioma patients, or those drugs plus Bevacizumab, which is the new drug being tested.
The results for the patients in the Bevacizumab group was that the chance of death during a follow period of around three years decreased by 23 percent. This translated into an increase in the overall survive time for patients given Bevacizumab by an average of 16 to 18 months.
While any increase in number of years a patient survives after being diagnosed is a good thing for some patients, this period of time is also filled with a great deal of pain and suffering. Patients will also typically undergo major surgeries that involve the removal of all or parts of some organs, including a lung. In some cases, a chemotherapy solution is applied internally during the surgery.
The shortness of time left to live and the pain and suffering during the period in which these people live is something for which your Boston mesothelioma injury lawyer can request damages at trial or as part of a settlement negotiation. There can also be additional damages, including lost wages, loss of consortium, and special damages. In some cases, you will be able to recover punitive damages.
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma in Massachusetts, call for a free and confidential appointment at (617) 777-7777.
Additional resources:
Bevacizumab extends survival of pleural mesothelioma patients, January 16, 2016, News-Medical, By Shreeya Nanda
More Blog Entries:
Asbestos In City Buildings Poses Risk, August 12, 2014, Boston Mesothelioma Layers Blog