As I research treatment options for those suffering from mesothelioma, I find a mixture of hope and hopelessness.  There are the articles written by loved ones who have watched their partner, parent or close friend die a painful death; and there are articles filled with the promise of treatment and beating the fatal disease.

According to the National Cancer Institute, mesothelioma is cancer of the tissue that lines your lungs, stomach, heart and other organs.  It is a rare but serious type of cancer. It usually starts in the lungs, but can also start in the abdomen or other organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, although can be caused by secondary exposure as well. 

Symptoms of the disease can take 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos to develop. Treatment usually includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or all three.  

Recently researchers from the U.S. and Britain have discovered a gene that may play an important part in protecting someone from developing mesothelioma and other forms of cancer.  The gene known as the LIMD1 has been found to be missing in patients who are suffering from lung cancer.   Researchers believe the gene may act as a tumor suppressor in the body, defending against changes in the cells that lead to cancer.

Sufferers of mesothelioma and their families are hopeful that this breakthrough might help protect people against the disease and provide a way to finding a cure for the illness.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 4th, 2009 at 9:06 pm and is filed under Mesothelioma Treatment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.