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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
mesothelioma
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
mesothelioma
by kew, Jul 01, 2003 12:00AM
My aunt has been diagnosed with mesothelioma though it is not clear whether this is a few cancerous cells or a full tumour. We believe it to be fatal. Could you explain where this is in terms of the lung or pleural cavity. Also what should we be pushing for in terms of treatment. She has had one lot of radiotherapy. I think she will take an 8hr chemotherapy session shortly. There is mention of a clinical trial but have heard that such trials are more likely to cause discomfort than be of help.
Her husband has oesophogeal cancer and we are unsure of the survival rate/life expectancy there too. He has had chemotherapy and is now undergoing radiotherapy. The tumour has not reduced in size so far. He has had a stent put in and can eat foods if mashed.
Any help or suggestions would be very much apprieciated.
Many thanks, Kate
Her husband has oesophogeal cancer and we are unsure of the survival rate/life expectancy there too. He has had chemotherapy and is now undergoing radiotherapy. The tumour has not reduced in size so far. He has had a stent put in and can eat foods if mashed.
Any help or suggestions would be very much apprieciated.
Many thanks, Kate
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jul 02, 2003 12:00AM
, Jul 02, 2003 12:00AM
Hello - thanks for asking your question.
I am sorry to hear about the cancer diagnoses.
80 percent of mesothelioma is pleural in origin and is typically associated with asbestos exposure. The median survival of patients with mesothelioma is between 6 and 18 months, and is not significantly affected by currently available therapeutic interventions.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are currently the recommended treatments of choice.
Experimental approaches include intracavitary therapy (directly injecting compounds into the pleural space) and gene therapy. Unfortunately, there is minimal success with these treatments, but they may be worth discussing with your personal physician.
Mortality of esophageal cancer depends on the stage. The mortality rates for stages I-IV are 60, 31, 20, and 4 percent respectively.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
I am sorry to hear about the cancer diagnoses.
80 percent of mesothelioma is pleural in origin and is typically associated with asbestos exposure. The median survival of patients with mesothelioma is between 6 and 18 months, and is not significantly affected by currently available therapeutic interventions.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are currently the recommended treatments of choice.
Experimental approaches include intracavitary therapy (directly injecting compounds into the pleural space) and gene therapy. Unfortunately, there is minimal success with these treatments, but they may be worth discussing with your personal physician.
Mortality of esophageal cancer depends on the stage. The mortality rates for stages I-IV are 60, 31, 20, and 4 percent respectively.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
My uncle also passed away due to mesothelioma cancer in September 2004.
read my experience http://whatismesotheliomacancer.blogspot.com/2007/07/my-experience-on-mesothelioma.html
Now there are some modern mesothelioma treatments available some of them are
Photodynamic Therapy
Gene Therapy
Immunotherapy
More about mesothelioma treatment options
http://whatismesotheliomacancer.blogspot.com/2007/07/mesothelioma-treatment-options.html
I have red many testimonials in net of mesothelioma survivals . Some people are still alive after getting mesothelioma for long time .