The results of a long-term study on the effectiveness of mesothelioma treatment by Belgian scientists should bring comfort and confidence to patients currently receiving care or who are about to begin their journey. The study, published in November 2018 in the scientific journal Lung Cancer, reinforces that chemotherapy provides the most positive results and improves the likelihood of survival more than any other treatment.
Led by researcher Michael Rosskamp, a team of scientists used information furnished by the Belgian Cancer Registry pertaining to more than 1,400 patients who were diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) between 2004 and 2012. The study set out to discover which patients lived the longest after treatment and why. The team analyzed each patient’s treatment regimen and how long each patient lived afterward.
Of the 1,400-plus patients whose records were analyzed, those who received chemotherapy tended to live longer than others. Specifically, the best results were seen in those who had received pemetrexed (Alimta) and cisplatin, both of which are FDA-approved forms of treatment for MPM.
Surgery patients also experienced strongly positive results. Of course, it is important to keep in mind that the patients who underwent surgery tended to be younger and in better health, making them more likely to be able to handle the physical toll surgery takes on a person’s body. Additionally, surgery tends to be more common for patients diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma, a type of cancer that tends to be more responsive to this method of treatment.
Whether the treatment was chemotherapy or surgery, the patients who lived the longest afterward were those who received their treatment at specialized cancer centers where physicians have extensive resources and deep experience.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness or have lost a loved one to mesothelioma or asbestos-related cancer, contact a personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights. Compensation is available for victims and their family members through trust funds and other sources. You are welcome to contact us online if you have any questions.
