Mesothelioma is one of the most serious and potentially lethal thoracic malignancies. Survival in mesothelioma is exceedingly poor even relative to lung cancer and squamous cell carcinoma despite recent progress in the clinical treatment of primary mesothelioma. To improve survival, new treatment strategies are needed that focus on the suppression of the tumor immune system and/or enhancement of the antitumor immune response.
There is no known cure for mesothelioma. Chemotherapy and concurrent radiotherapy may provide temporary relief from symptoms, which can improve quality of life. Surgery or radiotherapy of the pelvis and/or paraaortic lymph nodes is indicated in patients with peritoneal involvement, and in advanced cases, in the setting of progressive symptoms. However, there are no specific treatment guidelines specifically for mesothelioma due to the large amount of available information, with very individualized treatment regimens.
No curative treatment for mesothelioma has yet been established. Patients who undergo curative surgery for the disease may have long-term survival, even when recurrent, and those who live the longest are those who have no relapse.
The annual incidence of malignant mesothelioma is very low: 1.4 per 10,000 people for both genders, with an annual incidence of about 1 case per million.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the serous fluid-producing lining of the tubes in the abdomen (peritoneal membrane) during the development of an infection. People with the condition may need surgery to remove the abnormal tissue. Mesothelioma is the most common cancer in the peritoneal cavity in women. The average survival time following diagnosis is 10 months.\n
The signs and symptoms of a malignant mesothelioma are similar to those of a malignant pleural disease (cancer of the pleura of the lung). They include cough, fever, weight loss and shortness of breath and depend on the stage of malignant mesothelioma. The symptoms can resemble those of other malignancies. To distinguish between malignant mesothelioma and other pulmonary conditions, a radiological examination, CT scan or PET scan is recommended. When the results are equivocal, biopsy is recommended. The treatment of malignant mesothelioma is dependent upon the stage of the disease and the patient's prognosis.
While mesothelioma can develop almost anywhere in the body, almost half (53%) is related to asbestos exposure. Asbestos exposure is a risk factor for all the types of mesothelioma. People working with asbestos products, using the material, or building with asbestos-containing materials are at increased risk of developing mesothelioma.
Given that mesothelioma is an uncommon cancer, with the current incidence rate in the USA/Australia, the average age of mesothelioma patients diagnosed is about 50 years. This article provides the average age of the most common mesothelioma cases. It is recommended that mesothelioma patients receive education of this cancer type and preventive activities.
The study results imply that a history of exposure to asbestos fibers and pleom effusion are risk indicators for malignant mesothelioma. However, a low risk of developing malignant mesothelioma may be related to smoking and a history of pleom effusion, which indicates an indolent course of malignant mesothelioma. In a recent study, findings provides an index of risk factors in the development of malignant mesothelioma and a theoretical basis for management of patients with respect to the type and severity of malignant mesothelioma.
Although treatments can be helpful for some of the symptoms of mesothelioma, unfortunately there are not any major discoveries that will change the treatment strategy of this disease. Mesothelioma is still considered a lethal malignant disease, and patients are encouraged to take part in and follow up with any clinical study in this disease.
Recent research of mesothelioma showed that tumor microvasculature and immune system plays an important role in the development. For mesothelioma, microvessel density and tumor immune cell ratio plays a very important role in prognosis and treatment.
Currently, the only gavo-cel therapy for cancer patients with solid tumors is as a treatment of the pain caused by bone metastases from solid tumors. However, gavo-cel may also be used as a treatment for other forms of cancer in patients with bone metastases as an induction or maintenance therapy depending on its specific mode of action. Furthermore, gavo-cel is also used as support to control the progression of the cancer.