Mesothelioma Cancer Information Article

a rare form of carcinoma of the mesothelium lining lungs or abdomen or heart; usually associated with exposure to asbestos dust

Treatments and Clinical Trials for Mesothelioma
By Jill Kane
For years, chemotherapy has been used as treatment for to shrink tumors. More recently, doctors have used surgery in combination with chemotherapy with more success.

In addition, newer chemotherapy drugs in combination with surgery has increased survival rates of patients.

Radiation has been used to control cancer symptoms such as pain, but it is not a primary treatment for mesothelioma. It is also used in combination with other treatments for and may possibly assist in killing cancer cells after surgery to prevent further growth of cancer cells in the chest area.

Much more research is required to improve treatment options through clinical trials. Clinical trials are used to evaluate new cancer treatments and their effectiveness. They are an important aspect of improving treatments and the ultimate prognosis of cancer patients.

Mesothelioma patients who participate in clinical trials are able to receive new treatments before they are available to other patients.

Clinical trials have three phases. Phase I trails are the first studies of a new treatment. The goals are to determine the correct dosage and the side effects. Phase I trials are only offered to patients who haven't responded to other approved treatments.

Phase II trials are further studies of treatments proven to be effective from phase I trials. They are a continuation of determining treatment safety and effectiveness on a particular type of cancer.

Phase III trials are used to compare a new treatment method with a currently used treatment program. Doctors can thus determine if the new treatment is more or less effective than the already approved treatment.

A patient must be willing to partcipate and provide written consent prior to starting a clinical trial. The use of clinical trials is very important in improving the treatments used in the fight against mesothelioma.

Over the past few years treatments have improved for treating mesothelioma, but further clinical trials are needed to continue treatment methods.

Visit http://www.mesothelioma-101.org/ for more information.

Cancer Research Spending Yielding Few Gains
Since 1971, when U.S. President Richard M. Nixon declared a "War on Cancer," doctors and researchers around the world have worked diligently to find a cure for this life-threatening and life-altering disease. Thirty years later, though, an investigative report published by CBS News and Business Week found the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) might be responsible for many cancer treatments failing to reach the market. Other recent reports and studies confirm that conclusion. FDA Methods 'Oudated' <a href="http://www.emaxhealth.com/51/1/24272.html">read more</a>

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Mesothelioma: New treatments for Mesothelioma cancer By Hector Milla There are more treatment possibilities for Mesothelioma cancer than surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy: the clinical trials. They offer no only benefits, but also risks that cancer patients Read more...	Mesothelioma: Treatments for Mesothelioma Cancer By Hector Milla Mesothelioma cancer is currently treated through three treatments, depending on the cancer location, the disease stage, and the patient's general health and age. These treatments are surgery, Read more...	What You Should Know About Mesothelioma By Rick Tanzo Let me make this clear at the outset. I'm not a doctor. And the word mesothelioma is some kind of a tongue-twister to me.This article is an ofshoot of my web site - Read more...	Mesothelioma - an asbestos related lung cancer By Jill Kane What is Mesothelioma?Mesothelioma is a form of cancer located in the lining of either the lungs, abdomen or the heart. These linings are thin layers of tissue covering the organ. r Read more...

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