Breaking New Ground in Mesothelioma Research and Treatment

Each year, malignant pleural mesothelioma affects over 3,000 people in the United States. Without therapy, most patients will die within 4 to 12 months following diagnosis. But thanks to the dedication of physicians like David Sugarbaker, M.D., mesothelioma victims are living longer and more comfortably—and a cure for the deadly cancer moves closer each day.

Dr. Sugarbaker is Director of Thoracic Surgery at the Dana Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center in Boston and the founder of the International Mesothelioma Program (IMP), a clinical and research initiative focused on advancing mesothelioma treatment. In clinical trials, Dr. Sugarbaker’s multi-modality treatment approach—one that combines surgery, chemotherapy and radiation—has added years onto the lives of patients with pleural mesothelioma.

“The groundbreaking work of Dr. Sugarbaker has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of malignant mesothelioma,” says Attorney Jim Sokolove, founder and principal of the Law Offices of James Sokolove (www.jimsokolove.com). “His dedication, and that of other pioneers in this field, is in part what inspired us to create the Mesothelioma Resource Center.”

The Mesothelioma Resource Center is a new national resource designed to help serve the needs of mesothelioma cancer victims and their families. The website offers information on the latest mesothelioma treatments as well as a discussion forum where victims can reach out to others who have been affected by the disease. Dr. Sugarbaker and other leaders in mesothelioma research contributed their time and expertise to the site’s development.

“We’re keeping our finger on the pulse of modern mesothelioma research, and translating new discoveries into useable information for victims and their families,” Sokolove says. “Our hope for the Mesothelioma Resource Center is that it becomes a leading resource for information on this aggressive illness.”

Basis

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Asbestos killed factory worker

A PENSIONER died from asbestos-related cancer more than 40 years after working in a factory that stored the potentially deadly material in its basement.

An inquest heard that Dorothy Thornley, aged 68, of Bransdale Close, Lostock, worked for 10 years as a separator and cutter at the Porvic factory in Darcy Lever, starting in 1955.

Bolton Coroner's Court heard that she was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 2005 and died at home on May 10 this year.

Her sister, who had worked at the same factory, died of the same disease two years ago.

Mrs Thornley's husband, George, said his wife did not work with asbestos, but it was stored in the building, under the canteen, for use at another factory in Little Lever.

Mr Thornley said his wife had not worked since leaving her job at the factory in the mid 1960s. He added that although she smoked about 10 cigarettes a day, she had kept in good health, until 2005.

Alan Walsh, the deputy coroner said: "I am satisfied from all the evidence I have heard that the underlying cause of the malignant mesothelioma was the industrial exposure during the period she spent in that factory. I conclude that Mrs Thornley died as the result of an industrial disease."

Reference

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Study Finds Increased Mesothelioma Death Rates In A Group Of Shipyard Workers

A recent study conducted on workers in a US Coast Guard shipyard has found a significantly greater mortality rate associated with lung cancer and mesothelioma compared to the general population. The study also found an increased general mortality rate.

The study followed 4702 (4413 men and 289 women) civilian workers who were employed at the shipyard between January 1950 and December 1964. The study then measured the number of deaths and their causes through 31 December 2001.

The study was conducted by S Krstev, P Stewart, J Rusiecki, A Blair and was published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. The original study publication is available at http://oem.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/64/10/651.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is usually associated with exposure to asbestos. The majority of individuals who are diagnosed with mesothelioma have a history of exposure to asbestos particles at work or home. Family members of workers have also been affected. Renovators of homes containing asbestos cement material are accounting for an increasing number of diagnosed sufferers.

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear for decades after the exposure to asbestos. Symptoms include abdominal pain and weight loss. Diagnosis of mesothelioma can be difficult due to the fact that the symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases.

Since mesothelioma is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma can be best be prevented by avoiding or limiting exposure to asbestos in homes, public buildings, and at work. Workers that may be at risk include miners, factory workers, insulation manufacturers, railroad workers, ship builders, contractors and construction workers, particularly those involved with insulation. If there is a possibility of exposure (such as when renovating old buildings) protective equipment should be used and safety procedures should be applied.

Asbestos was commonly used in building materials due to its durability and fire-resistant properties. In addition to buildings, asbestos was used in the manufacture of cars and ships and many other products.

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The Asbestos Particles: Mesothelioma

Most of the people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or have been uncovered to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos, or by home renovation using asbestos cement products.

Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking. In an endeavor to hoist consciousness of this form of cancer, the Meso Foundation has declared September 26th National Meso Awareness Day.

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems.

In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person’s risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

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