Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of asbestos-related cancer. Treatment options will vary depending on the individual circumstances of the patient and how early it is detected. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen. Scientists in Nebraska have published research results, naming the best chemotherapy drug to treat peritoneal mesothelioma when combined with surgery.
For patients who have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, treatment will usually involve surgery to remove the cancer from the abdomen lining. Doctors will then treat the affected areas with chemotherapy drugs. Currently there is a debate over which drugs are the best to use in this cytorductive surgery (CRS) and chemotherapy combination treatment. Our Boston mesothelioma attorneys are dedicated to helping victims and their families protect their rights and interests after diagnosis. We will help to uncover the truth about a mesothelioma diagnosis, identify responsible individuals and entities, and pursue compensation. In addition to patient advocacy, we are abreast of the medical advancements and legal issues that impact the lives of our clients.
Surgeons at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha reviewed the records of all peritoneal mesothelioma patients between 2003 and 2010. The researchers analyzed what drugs were used in combination with chemotherapy. According to the records, 44 patients were treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Some of these patients were given mitomycin, an anti-tumor antibiotic, while others were given carboplatin, a platinum-based drug. According to the hospital records, 72% of those treated with mitomycin were alive within one year of surgery. Of this group, 27% of the patients were still living five years after the treatment.
When looking at records of those patients who were given carboplatin, the doctors found that 90% of the patients were alive one year after surgery. Of this group, nearly 63% were still alive five years after surgery. The doctors also looked at complications faced by the patients after surgery. Those who did not receive the platinum-based drugs needed more than four times as many blood transfusions. The group that received mitomycin also spent four times as long in the ICU and a longer time in the hospital. Authors of the study, which was published in The American Surgeon, have concluded that using the platinum based drugs in combination with surgery improves the rate of survival and reduces the amount of time that a patient will spend in the hospital.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare form of mesothelioma that is caused by exposure to asbestos dust or particles. Of the 2,500 mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed every year, about 500 of those will be peritoneal mesothelioma cases. Depending on the type of exposure, patients may also suffer from pericardial mesothelioma which attacks the lining of the heart. Individuals who a have been diagnosed with mesothelioma should contact an experienced medical team as well as a legal advocate. In the event of asbestos-exposure, victims and their families may be entitled to recover significant compensation.
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