Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is an extremely rare cancer. Only 100 to 500 cases are diagnosed in the US each year, making up less than 30% of all mesothelioma cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the abdominal lining, or peritoneum (paira-tin-e-um), which is why is is sometimes referred to as abdominal mesothelioma. This membrane supports and covers the organs of the abdomen.
The peritoneum is made of two parts, the visceral and parietal peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum covers the internal organs and makes up most of the outer layer of the intestinal tract. Covering the abdominal cavity is the parietal peritoneum. Cells in these linings secrete a fluid which allows organs to move against one another. For instance, as the intestines move food through the body. The cells of the mesothelium are designed to create fluid, but the cancer can cause them to overproduce, creating a build up of excess fluid in the abdominal cavity….. (more…)
A gene therapy approach is designed to treat mesothelioma by correcting the genes that allow a cancerous tumor to grow, potentially controlling tumor size and spread. Like immunotherapy, gene therapy clinical trials are currently underway. While a relatively new treatment, and still very much in the experimental stages, it is showing great promise and effectiveness in tests and clinical trials.
The goal of gene therapy is to get at the root cause of a disease. Because genes hold the instructions for making proteins and other building blocks necessary for cell function, if a gene’s instructions are incorrect or missing, the “ingredients” for a healthy cell and person may be lacking. Instead of dealing with the errant effects of faulty genes after the fact, gene therapy attempts to deliver the proper instructions to your cells, avoiding the negative affects altogether….. (more…)
asbestos and mesothelioma
As a Matter of Law: Steve McQueen’s Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Asbestos Exposure
Many are aware that famous movie actor, Steve McQueen, died of cancer. But few are aware he actually had a mesothelioma diagnosis. As most are also not aware, Steve McQueen worked in a shipyard as a young man — where he was likely exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos exposure is the only well established cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is also known to cause lung cancer and colon cancer. A mesothelioma diagnosis occurs many years after asbestos exposure, and may not develop for more than 50 years after the first asbestos exposure.
Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP, has experienced New York and New Jersey mesothelioma lawyers. Robert Komitor, who has more than 20 years of experience in mesothelioma lawsuits, discusses the importance of a very detailed occupational history. For more information: www.LPKLaw.com or www.NYNJMesothelioma.com.
As of June 30th 2010, the Mesothelioma Therapeutic Video Library for MesoCare.org is available. Lectures include topics on surgery, chemotherapy, Radiation and others. This series was designed as an educational resource for patients, family, and healthcare providers. The lectures are also available via DVD by request.
Houston TX (Vocus/PRWEB ) July 2, 2010 — Mesothelioma lecture series is now available online. Current lectures include: Vikki Devitto on Chemotherapy, Veronica Garza of on “Radiation Therapy Options For Patients Suffering From Mesothelioma”, Dr. David Rice, on Surgical options and Sharon Myers introduction on various speakers. Lectures were held at the International Rotary House on the MD Anderson main campus in Houston, Texas…….. (more…)
For those living in the United Kingdom, today marks Action Mesothelioma Day, an attempt to spread awareness about a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
The British Lung Foundation and other asbestos support groups have campaigned for the day since 2006. In addition to creating awareness about the effects of asbestos exposure, the day is meant to support those who have been affected with malignant mesothelioma as well as bring notice to the importance of improving treatment options.
A cure for this cancer has yet to be found, but researchers around the world continue to perform clinical trials with the hope of finding one. Current treatment methods are more or less designed to relieve symptoms and prolong life. The average mesothelioma life expectancy for patients ranges between four and 18 months…….. (more…)
Gendicine works by combining the p53 gene, which is a tumor suppressant, with a utility virus. When the Gendicine virus is then injected into the cancerous tumor, the virus inserts the p53 gene into the cancer cells. Once the p53 gene is in the cancer cells, it causes them to self destruct. Clinical trials have shown a 64% success rate in this therapy combined with radiation therapy…. (more…)
The Mesothelioma Victims Center was created to be the premier group in the United States when it comes to advocacy for victims of a rare asbestos related form of cancer called mesothelioma. The group offers mesothelioma victims, or their families free help, and assistance ranging from obtaining Social Security, or VA disability assistance, to finding the absolute best health care options in the area of the victim. As part of its 2010 Mesothelioma Advocacy Initiative-the Mesothelioma Victims Center is offering individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma the names of the absolute best US mesothelioma law firms, or attorneys. The group says,”our intention is to cut middleman law firms, that are little more than mesothelioma marketing companies-out of the equation.” They say,”we think hooking someone’s Dad, or Mom via a slick TV, radio, or Internet advertisment about mesothelioma, and then selling the victim to the highest bidder-is wrong-so we are going to change the way mesothelioma victims discover the best actual US law firms. You either are a mesothelioma lawyer who does the trial work-or you are not.” For more information a mesothelioma victim, or their family can contact the Mesothelioma Victims Center anytime at 866-714-6466 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 866-714-6466 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or contact the group via its web site a Http://MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com… (more…)
