Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.  Hundreds of thousands of people die every year around the world from this deadly disease.  Because this type of cancer has a long latency period of up to fifty years and the symptoms are non-specific, diagnosis of mesothelioma is often not made [...]

Results from recent research, led by David J. Sugarbaker, M.D., show that patients suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) have much higher chance of longer survival when they undergo extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP).  Sugarbaker is one of the most experienced thoracic surgeons specializing in the treatment of mesothelioma.  He currently performs surgery at Brigham and Women’s [...]

Since 2008 the Department of Defense (DoD) began giving grants to researchers trying to find new treatments for mesothelioma and other types of cancer.  While the amount of money the DoD has to give out is limited, the grant process is open to researchers and can provide a much needed financial boost for cutting-edge and [...]

An epic new cancer prevention study, CPS-3,  funded and organized by the American Cancer Society is currently underway with the hope of identifying factors that may contribute to numerous types of cancer including the type caused by exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma.  The ultimate goal of the study is to understand how cancer develops and possibly [...]

Surgery as Treatment for Mesothelioma
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a relatively rare, but aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The standard treatments for mesothelioma are surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation, and usually a combination is used for most effective results.
Because mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until it has reached advanced stages, surgery is [...]

Results from recent studies verifying the safety of a novel DC based immunotherapy designed to be used as a vaccine against mesothelioma found it was safe enough to go on to the next phase of testing.  Indeed, tests show that the form of immunotherapy combats mesothelioma tumors directly.
The vaccine was created by scientists in the [...]

Janet L. Abrahm, M.D.  is co-investigator with David Sugerbaker on a study exploring the impact of bi-weekly palliative care assessment with patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma.    This investigation is part of a larger study led by Dr. Alice Kornblith,  a senior research assistant at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  The study’s aim is to enroll [...]

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma,  a terminal cancer,  is devasting and overwhelming.  It requires great courage and support to enter into end of life conversations, and yet can be one of the most helpful things to do to ensure more choice, power and dignity about how and where one would like to spend their final months.
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When diagnosed with mesothelioma, there is often very little that can be done to treat the cancer, especially if it has reached advanced stages.  The reality of end of life is unavoidable as there is no cure for mesothelioma, although researchers continue to investigate new treatments in hopes of finding one.  One way for patients [...]

Today starts the 16th Annual National Comprehensive Cancer Network Conference in Hollywood, Florida.  The Conference will last until Sunday and is being held at the Westin Diplomat.  This year’s theme is on Clinical Practice Guidelines and Quality Cancer Care.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to offering continuing education to nurses, [...]