Are There Any New Developments in Mesothelioma Treatment?

Research on all aspects of mesothelioma is ever-developing.  For example, it has recently been found that CT scans can effectively identify large peritnoneal mesothelioma tumors at crucial anatomic sites.  In order to achieve prolonged survival adequate cytoreduction is essential.  Because of this, CT scans have become an accurate prognostic radiologic test for patient selection for comprehensive treatment.  Along the same lines is the discovery that open pleural biopsy is proven to be accurate and can now be considered the best method for mesothelioma diagnosis.  It is far less sensitive of a method for determining subtypes of mesothelioma which is a plus for patients.

Aside from developments in the diagnosis of mesothelioma, are the recent expansions in new ideas and methods for dealing with mesothelioma on the treatment level.  An example of such a discovery is the fact that prophylactic radiation therapy is effective in preventing wound seeding by tumor cells in tissue tracks lining parts of the body.  Although this is a significant development, further studies need to be conducted because mesothelioma is a rare tumor and the true incidence of wound seeding is unknown as of yet.

However great or small the developments may be, each one is a step in the right direction.  Each time something new is discovered, it lets researchers, as well as patients, know that a cure is on the way.  These developments in diagnosis and treatment are only a couple in the enormous slew of advancements as of late that have given hope to those suffering from mesothelioma.