New Drug Study for Abdominal Mesothelioma

January 18, 2010 by admin
Filed under: Mesothelioma Information

The researchers recently published the results of a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology detailing a potential new treatment for patients suffering from abdominal mesothelioma that will probably improve the condition of patients. The study found that when patients suffering from abdominal mesothelioma have received a combination of two drugs, Alimta (pemetrexed) and Gemzar (gemcitabine), their condition improved.

Here are the results of the study:

* The response rate of patients was 15 percent.

* The rate of disease control for patients while the drug was 50 percent.

* The median time to disease progression was 10. 4 months old.

* The median survival time was 26. 8 months.

* The study involved 20 patients with mesothelioma sufferers of this disease.

Each patient also received several vitamins including folic acid, vitamin B12 and dexamethasone. The study was conducted by researchers involved in a multicenter U.S. trial. Researchers expect to continue to study the effects of the drug on patients suffering from abdominal mesothelioma to determine if treatment can be improved. What abdominal mesothelioma? Abdominal mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of cancer mesothelioma. Commonly described as peritoneal mesothelioma, cancer affects the abdominal wall, which is also known as the peritoneum.

Within the abdominal cavity is the serous membrane, which is also known as the parietal peritoneum, and this continuous membrane on the visceral peritoneum lining the organs. Abdominal mesothelioma, the lining of the visceral and parietal peritoneum were affected with the development of cancerous cells. In most cases, cancer of the abdomen occurs when an individual first developed pleural mesothelioma, which is when the lining of the developing cell lung cancer after inhaling asbestos. The pleural mesothelioma may then spread into the peritoneal cavity and cause peritoneal mesothelioma, which represents less than one third of all mesothelioma diagnoses. How is peritoneal mesothelioma contracted?

Abdominal or peritoneal mesothelioma is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers or asbestos dust. Asbestos is a material which is derived from vermiculite, a mineral that has been heavily exploited in the United States and around the world in the 20th century. Asbestos was commonly used as insulation in the construction industry because it is resistant to flame and was developed to discount. There are many common symptoms of mesothelioma, including: * Shortness of breath. * Unable to breathe. * Fatigue. * Wheezing or severe cough. However, several of these symptoms are generalized to all cases of mesothelioma. Specific problems exist for those with a diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma.

These symptoms include:

* Weight loss.

* Abdominal swelling, which may be caused by ascites or accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity.

* Intestinal obstruction.

* Fever.

* Anemia.

* Blood clotting.

* Difficulty swallowing.

* Swelling of the neck and face.

Abdominal Mesothelioma Treatment

Abdominal mesothelioma treatment commonly consists of surgery to remove cancerous infected areas. Often, surgery major players peritoneal mesothelioma is known as debulking surgery. This surgery is usually accompanied by perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and together, the median survival of patients has been shown to increase slightly, although treatment depends on a case-by-case basis. Collection of Peritoneal Mesothelioma Legal Help People who have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma or any other similar form of mesothelioma cancer are advised to find an experienced mesothelioma lawyer.

Because mesothelioma is considered a very preventable disease, the individual victims who contract the disease are likely exposed to asbestos fibers or asbestos dust without knowledge of the danger of exposure levels. These individuals may be able to receive monetary compensation for bills extremely expensive medical associated with abdominal mesothelioma. It is particularly important for a person to seek legal counsel for their mesothelioma trial if they were employees within the metal, mining, marine, construction and welding industries.

Learn more about abdominal mesothelioma and treatments at http://mesothelioma.legalview.com or visit http://www.LegalView.com/ . Additionally, LegalView offers information on other various legal issues such as the Cipro risks or the latest on truck accident lawsuits.

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