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Posts by: Steven Kazan

Mesothelioma can Cause Heart Complications

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mesothelioma treatmentAt Kazan Law, we know that the effects of mesothelioma on the body can be far-reaching. I recently came across a report in the Indian Journal of Pathology and Microbiology, which published a case report detailing a mesothelioma patient who developed atrial fibrillation, or AF. The Japanese doctors who treated him theorized that the heart complication was a result of physical crowding caused by tumors in his chest.

Growths in the chest can interfere with health
The authors of the study noted that advanced cases of pleural mesothelioma can lead to the growth of mediastinal masses or tumors. Doctors from MedStar Washington Hospital Center describe the mediastinum as the area of the chest that is between the lungs. Small masses may not cause any symptoms, but sometimes, mediastinal tumors can cause chest pain, persistent cough, difficulty swallowing, trouble breathing, fever, night sweats or unexplained weight loss.

Doctors can diagnose the presence of a mediastinal tumor by conducting a chest x-ray, CT scan or biopsy. They may also perform a mediastinoscopy, which inserts a super-thin camera into the chest cavity for a visual inspection.

Usually, a mediastinal growth can be controlled with the help of surgery.

What is AF?
A danger associated with any tumor is the possibility that the abnormal tissue growth can disrupt the function of any surrounding organs. In the case of a mediastinal tumor, the heart can be affected.

The authors of the case study found that, in one patient, a mediastinal tumor that grew out of mesothelioma may have caused AF.

Here’s what you need to know about AF: The American Heart Association describes it as a condition in which the normal rhythm of the heart is disrupted, and the top two chambers of the organ do not beat effectively. As a result, blood can pool in these chambers and form clots. These clots can cause a stroke if they block the circulation of blood to important areas of the body.

Furthermore, AF can lead to heart fatigue, chronic fatigue, poor circulation and other problems.

People who have AF sometimes describe feeling a fluttering sensation in their chest, but one of the dangers of this condition is that symptoms are not always obvious, and patients may not be properly diagnosed for some time.

Doctors find a possible new cause of AF
It turns out there was another interesting case that caught my attention – in Japan, doctors treated a 70-year-old man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at the age of 66. When he was admitted to the hospital for the last time, he showed evidence of a mediastinal tumor, AF and other problems. He eventually died 29 days later.

The medical exam that followed his death revealed that several of his organs and major blood vessels were impacted by the mediastinal tumor and other growths. AF was a likely result of this interference.

“AF due to a mediastinal tumor can be cured by surgical excision of the tumor,” the doctors wrote. “Although the treatment of advanced mesothelioma is difficult, chemotherapy using pemetrexed and cisplatin, antibody-based therapies targeting epidermal growth factor receptor, and immunotherapy have been attempted recently. Advanced mesothelioma can cause AF, and the reduction in the tumor size using such therapies may prevent AF. It is important to diagnose mesothelioma at an early stage.”

This is just one more reason why global efforts to ban the use and production of asbestos are important, and why we at Kazan Law believe so much in what we do.

Kazan Law Partner Joe Satterley Speaks on $6.8 Million Asbestos Verdict against Ford Motor Company

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Kazan Law partners Joe Satterley and Justin Bosl fought a battle against Ford Motor Company late last year that resulted in a $6,825,000 victory in favor of our clients Patrick and Sharon Scott. The Hayward, California jury found Ford Motor Company guilty of designing defective products, failure to warn of these product defects, and negligence, all related to motor vehicle braking systems.

Mr. Scott had spent his career as an auto mechanic, and owned three separate service stations during his years in the San Francisco Bay Area and Napa Valley. Sadly, like most of our clients who call on us for help, his career came to an abrupt halt at the age of 68 when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos. Mr. Scott was unaware that he was exposed to the deadly toxic material, but the evidence Joe Satterley and Justin Bosl presented at trial, proved that Ford well knew that the asbestos in its automotive parts and vehicles could kill as early as 1948.

While no amount of money could replace what the Scott family has lost, I am pleased that our mesothelioma law firm was able to bring them justice. Watch as Joe Satterley shares his perspective on the case against Ford Motor Company and the jury trial which lasted for three months.

Kazan, McClain, Abrams, Fernandez, Lyons, Greenwood, Oberman, Satterley & Bosl Foundation Grant to be Honored at 10th Annual Meso Foundation Symposium

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mesothelioma treatmentThe 10th annual Meso Foundation Symposium is taking place today and tomorrow, March 7th and 8th at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.  In addition to top experts in mesothelioma presenting the latest medical information, the Symposium addresses topics and issues relevant to patients, caregivers and those who have lost loved ones to this disease.

Kazan Law Partner Gordon Greenwood will be attending the Symposium’s culminating event, the Celebration of Hope Gala Dinner on Friday March 8th, where the Bankhead Family Fund of the Kazan, McClain, Abrams, Fernandez, Lyons, Greenwood, Oberman, Satterley & Bosl Foundation Grant will be honored. The grant was given to Dr. Il-Jin Kim at The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco for “Fusion genes as therapeutic targets in malignant pleural mesothelioma”.

The Kazan, McClain, Abrams, Fernandez, Lyons, Greenwood, Oberman, Satterley & Bosl Foundation, Inc, was formed in 1994.  We are proud to have had the opportunity over the years to contribute over $20 million in grants to a wide array of community and civic organizations, including $6 million for mesothelioma research. We heartily support the theme of the Meso Foundation 2013 Symposium—“All In” for a cure!

Urinary Tumors May Be Linked to Occupational Asbestos Exposure

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A recent Italian study has discussed links between occupational asbestos exposure and the increasing prevalence of urinary tumors, particularly in the kidney and bladder. Researchers from the Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center at the Ramazzini Institute, along with support from the Bentivoglio Hospital and University of Bologna, published their report titled, “Urinary apparatus tumors and asbestos: The Ramazzini Institute caseload” in the journal Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia.

Asbestos and urinary tumors
The team of investigators began their work by expanding on previous studies that examined the relationship between occupational asbestos exposure and urinary tumors. Past evidence has suggested that after workers have been exposed to industrial agents, these products can linger and transform in the body for some time – eventually being expelled via the urinary tract. The Ramazzini Institute examined 23 cases of patients with urinary tumors who were also exposed to asbestos in the workplace.

The study notes that the body primarily flushes out toxic and carcinogenic agents through the renal system. As a result, the kidney and bladder can be exposed to carcinogenic products such as asbestos, which can cause tumors to develop over time. In fact, asbestos fibers have been found in the urine of many at-risk populations – such as factory workers and miners – reinforcing the notion that urinary apparatus tumors can be caused by this hazardous material.

How asbestos enters the renal system
Asbestos can enter the renal system in a number of ways. Urine found with traces of this carcinogen can be traced back to the transfer of asbestos fibers from the gastrointestinal wall and into the circulatory system, transporting them to the urinary tract. People who may have consumed water contaminated with asbestos fibers are also at risk of developing tumors.

The inhalation of asbestos may also lead to urinary tumors. Scientists have suggested that asbestos in the lungs can pass eventually reach the bloodstream. Once in the blood, these asbestos particles can work their way toward the kidneys and liver.

It is plausible that asbestos exposure may play a role in the development of bladder, bile duct, renal cancers and other malignancies, and the research is continuing. However, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), at present there is sufficient medical evidence to state that asbestos caused cancers include only mesothelioma, lung cancer, cancer of the larynx and the ovaries. Therefore, we do not currently recommend litigation in the U.S. for bladder cancers, but constantly review our position as new evidence emerges.

Statistics on asbestos exposure
According to the World Health Organization, asbestos is comprised a group of mineral fibers that can be mined from the ground. While they’ve been used in a variety of industrial products due to their strength and heat resistance – particularly in building insulation and brake pads – asbestos can easily cause cancerous conditions in humans. The most common asbestos-related diseases include mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural plaques.

Approximately 125 million people around the globe have been exposed to asbestos through their occupations. The WHO estimates that more than 107,000 people die every year from lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis as a result. Additionally, one-third of cases of occupational cancer can be linked to asbestos exposure in some form.

While more than 50 countries have completely banned the use of asbestos in order to protect workers, the U.S. is one of the few nations that has decided to tightly regulate this material instead. By completely banning the use of asbestos in occupational environments, the U.S. can join international efforts to reduce the harmful impact of exposure to this material.

How Depression Impacts Survival Time for Lung Cancer Patients

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mesothelioma_treatmentAfter people are diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening disease, it is understandable that they would develop depression. This is not a run-of-the-mill case of the blues, but a persistent feeling of despair, hopelessness and inability to enjoy life that can prevent someone from taking part in the world around him or her.

Patients who have lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure are also at risk of depression. If this condition is not addressed effectively, patients may find it difficult to maintain personal relationships or engage in everyday activities.

Additionally, if depression interferes with an individual’s commitment to medical treatment, his or her illness may progress quickly.

At Kazan Law, we want to make sure all of your needs – physical, emotional and mental – are taken care of. When you are undergoing treatment for lung cancer resulting from exposure to asbestos, it is important to be aware of whether or not you have developed depression so you can treat it properly.

What causes depression?
Experts from the National Cancer Institute estimate that 25 percent of cancer patients develop depression. Certain factors can make some individuals more vulnerable than others. These variables can be divided between those that are related to the cancer, and those that are not.

Those that are linked to the disease include:

  • Pain that is not well-controlled.
  • A case of advanced illness.
  • Physical weakness.
  • Certain types of medication.

Factors independent of the disease are:

  • A personal or family history of depression.
  • A weak social support system.
  • Stress caused by other events in life not related to the cancer.

Depression hurts quality of life
One team of scientists from Mexico decided to investigate the effects of depression on individuals who had advanced cases of non-small cell lung cancer. Specifically, they wanted to know how depression and anxiety impacted the prognosis, treatment adherence and health-related quality of life (HRQL).

For their study, the researchers enrolled 82 subjects diagnosed with stage IIIB or stage IV disease. All participants underwent a series of psychiatric health assessments before treatment, then again at the three-month and six-month marks following the initiation of treatment. In order to record treatment adherence, the scientists kept track of how many clinical consultations the patients missed.

Results showed that approximately 33 and 34 percent of subjects had depression and anxiety, respectively. Depression was more likely among females and those who had poor performance status.

Other results showed that subjects who were depressed had a median survival time of 6.8 months, compared to 14 months for those who did not experience depression. Additionally, 58 percent of depressed subjects had poor treatment adherence, while the same was true for only 42 percent of non-depressed patients.

“Depression and anxiety were present in one-third of patients with recently diagnosed NSCLC. Depression and anxiety were associated with decreased HRQL scales, and depression was independently associated with treatment adherence and with poor prognosis,” the researchers wrote in the Annals of Surgical Oncology.

There is help for depression
The Environmental Working Group estimates that lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure claims the lives of 4,800 individuals in the U.S. every year. That figure is expected to increase during the next 10 years or so.

These trends underscore the importance of identifying and treating depression effectively among lung cancer patients.

Experts from the NCI say that if you have a hard time accepting your cancer status after a long time following your diagnosis or lose interest in activities that were once enjoyable, you may have depression. You should immediately discuss these symptoms with your healthcare team.

Once your doctors are aware of your condition, they may recommend counseling or medication. Remember that depression remedies, whether they are prescribed or bought over the counter, can interact with your cancer therapy and should only be used under the supervision of your healthcare team.

Asbestos Exposure a Problem for Welders – Know Your Rights

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asbestos exposureThe image of a welder, meticulously crouched over his or her work, usually conjures sentimental pictures of hope and promise. Buildings are erected. Ships set sail. Roads traverse the country. Unfortunately for the welder, asbestos exposure is a problem.

At Kazan Law, we are dedicated to helping all individuals who struggle with potentially fatal diseases as a result of coming into contact with asbestos, which is a likely consequence of several occupations. Welders are among the workers who are most at risk, and we believe these employees deserve both gratitude and just compensation for their labor.

Welders deal with a hazardous environment
Most of the occupational hazards associated with welding have to deal with chemicals and fumes. Among these potential toxins are zinc, cadmium, beryllium, iron oxide, mercury, lead, fluoride, chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents, phosgene, carbon monoxide, ozone and nitrogen oxides, as listed by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

However, exposure to asbestos can also be problematic. Scientists from France said that this is likely to happen if welders are wearing old protective equipment, such as gloves or blankets, that were manufactured with asbestos. Furthermore, they are likely to encounter the mineral because of insulation materials at work sites, such as shipyards.

The World Health Organization estimates that 125 million people all over the globe are exposed to asbestos because of their job. This is likely to lead to an increase in the incidence of deadly diseases such as malignant mesothelioma.

‘We never wore a mask’
John Magee, a former apprentice welder who lives in the UK, is living proof of the asbestos-related dangers of the trade. Starting in 1963, he worked at James Watkinson (Engineers) for eight years. While holding this job, he frequently hammered large amounts of asbestos lagging from the pipes in boiler houses. Additionally, he performed more work in factories, coal mines and gas works.

“The work I did was always dusty and dirty because I had to knock huge amounts of asbestos lagging from the pipe work in the boiler houses with a hammer,” Magee told the Lancashire Evening Post. “The lagging was often old, and crumbled off easily, which meant it covered my clothes and hair, and I couldn’t help but breathe it in. We never wore a mask.”

Today, Magee is 66 years old and a grandfather of two – and he is living with mesothelioma. He has a lot of difficulty performing tasks around the house or shopping for himself.

His doctors tried to treat him with chemotherapy during April 2012, but his condition cannot be cured. All doctors can do now is keep an eye on his health.

In the meantime, Magee hopes to find former coworkers who may also be sick and not even know it.

Know your rights as a worker
Although public awareness of the risks associated with asbestos has improved since Magee worked as a welder, you should still be on the alert and know how to protect yourself.

OSHA has several tips:

  • Know the permissible exposure limits. Over an eight-hour shift, the PEL is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter. In the short term, that figure is 1 fiber per cubic centimeter over 30 minutes.
  • Employers must conduct period monitoring if the asbestos concentration is expected to exceed the PEL.
  • Employers need to create regulated zones for areas where asbestos is a hazard.
  • Protective clothing and respiratory equipment must be provided by employers.
  • Employees must be properly educated about asbestos if air concentrations in the workplace exceed the PEL.

Studies Linking Asbestos Exposure to Bile Duct Cancer Raises Urgency for Asbestos Ban

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asbestos exposureThe link between exposure to asbestos and fatal respiratory diseases is undeniable. The scientific studies that describe this relationship are used to support efforts to ban the use of asbestos in the manufacturing of new products, and call for more protective measures for workers who frequently have to handle the material.

However, at Kazan Law, we know that asbestos can have negative effects on more than just the respiratory system. In fact, a team of scientists recently published a report in the journal Cancer Causes Control, in which they linked asbestos exposure to cholangiocarcinoma, which is also known as bile duct cancer.

What is cholangiocarcinoma?
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation describes the liver as an organ with many functions, including the production of bile, which is a fluid that helps the liver filter out wastes while aiding the digestive system in the breakdown of fat in the food we eat. After the liver cells make bile, the liquid collects in tubes and drains out of the liver and into the gallbladder for storage via the bile ducts. These larger branches connect the liver to the gallbladder and the small intestine, into which the bile is released once food enters.

Bile duct cancer occurs when these larger, branched tubes develop a malignancy. This diseases can cause symptoms such as chills, fever, itching, decrease in appetite, weight loss, pain in the upper right abdomen that may travel to the back, and jaundice.

The five-year survival rate of this disease is 30 percent in cases when doctors are able to spot it in its early stages. However, only about 20 percent of incidents are found in such a timely manner.

Asbestos may be tied to disease trends
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation estimates that more than 2,500 cases of bile duct cancer are newly diagnosed every year in the U.S. However, the incidence is increasing, and experts from the patient advocacy group are not entirely sure why. They suggest that doctors are becoming better at diagnosing the disease.

One team of scientists from Italy decided to investigate whether asbestos exposure played a role in this trend.

For their study, the researchers analyzed the medical data collected from 155 patients, all of whom were treated for bile duct cancer between 2006 and 2010. This information included the occupational histories of the individuals, all of whom were matched with data from control subjects.

Results showed that there was an increased risk of asbestos exposure among the patients who had intrahepatic bile duct cancer, which affects the ducts inside the liver. Furthermore, there was some evidence that asbestos was also associated with extrahepatic bile duct cancer, which occurs outside the liver.

One reason why asbestos may stimulate the development of these diseases is that the mineral can drive inflammation within the body, according to the scientists.

“Exposure to asbestos could be one of the determinants of the progressive rise in the incidence of [intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma] during the last 30 years,” the researchers wrote in Cancer Causes Control.

Calls for better asbestos control become more urgent
The Environmental Working Group estimates that asbestos exposure is responsible for more than 9,900 deaths in the U.S. every year. Out of those incidents, about 1,200 are related to malignant diseases of the digestive system.

This is cause for concern because asbestos has not been banned outright in countries like the U.S., where the material is a common component of automotive parts and insulation materials, potentially putting both trades workers and consumers at risk.

Hopefully, studies such as the recent report on bile duct cancer will urge government groups and manufacturers to become more conscientious.

How Firefighters can Minimize Risk of Asbestos Exposure

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asbestos exposureEmergency workers regularly risk their lives in order to save others. Paramedics have to navigate through busy traffic to reach people in need. Cops sometimes have to immerse themselves in tense situations. Firefighters have to battle blazes in increasingly unstable buildings. Furthermore, burning structures force fighters to face another danger: asbestos exposure.

At Kazan Law, we firmly believe that people who put themselves in the line of danger in order to serve the public are deserving of not only gratitude, but protection from workplace hazards. To that end, we believe it is important to review why asbestos is a potential danger for firefighters.

Risk comes from buildings and equipment
Usually, when people consider the risks that firefighters face, they may think about smoke inhalation, skin burns or explosive materials. However, asbestos exposure increases the likelihood of being diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease, such as malignant mesothelioma.

Where would firefighters come into contact with this hazardous material? Experts from the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control in Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection say that exposure can happen if these individuals have to enter a burning building constructed with asbestos-containing materials. Although asbestos is supposed to be both strong and fireproof, roofing, shingles and insulation materials may release particles into the air when exposed to high temperatures or physical impact.

As if that were not bad enough, some older fire-resistant equipment, such as coats and helmets, may contain asbestos. These outdated products are rarely used anymore, but firehouses that utilize them may be putting their workers at risk.

‘Breathing in clouds of asbestos’
One recent story that illustrates the dangers of asbestos for individuals of this chosen profession is the case of Douglas Garnham, a firefighter from the UK who was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. Although he is only 54 years old, his doctors have told him he only has a year left to live. His disease is a possible consequence of asbestos exposure during the 1970s and 1980s, as reported by Get Surrey.

“During his initial training and on refresher training Mr. Garnham would have to crawl into confined and hot spaces, often the ducts under hospital boiler houses, containing pipes lagged with asbestos,” Simon Kilvington, Garnham’s lawyer, told the local news source. “He would crawl over and among asbestos-lagged pipes and through the asbestos dust and debris on the floors. Once the exercise was over, he would knock off the asbestos dust and fibers from his fire kit, breathing in the clouds of asbestos dust and fiber.”

In addition to being vulnerable to asbestos during training, Garnham likely came into contact with the material in burning buildings.

The Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, which employed Garnham, told the news source that they are continuing to invest in up-to-date technology and training methods.

Firefighters need to practice safety measures
FireRescue1, an internet network for firefighters in the U.S., says that workers are usually safe while they wear self-contained breathing apparatuses. However, this equipment is not always required on the job. Additional risks of exposure occur if asbestos fibers get trapped in protective clothing.

In order to minimize the risks, firefighters should:

  • Remove and isolate clothing when asbestos contamination is suspected.
  • Sample the surfaces of the response site for laboratory screening of asbestos.
  • Clean clothing in accordance to policy NFPA 1851.
  • Conduct follow-up testing of clothes.

Cancer Center Recruiting Mesothelioma Patients for Clinical Trial Showing Encouraging Results

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mesothelioma treatmentWhen it comes to medication, sometimes the way that doctors administer it is an important factor that can affect its effectiveness. One active area of scientific research aimed at developing better treatments for malignant mesothelioma involves exploring different methods of delivering drugs.

For example, Genelux, a pharmaceutical manufacturer based in California, is working in collaboration with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to evaluate the performance of GL-ONC1. The researchers want to know how effectively the agent can treat diseases such as mesothelioma and non-small cell lung cancer after doctors deliver it directly into the intra-pleural cavity of patients who develop malignant pleural effusions.

Current treatments fall short
Experts from the National Cancer Institute say that the treatments most suited for mesothelioma may partly depend on the stage of one’s disease. For example, if you are in the earliest stages of the illness, doctors may recommend surgery to remove the abnormal pleural lining and portions of other tissues in order to minimize the amount of malignant tissue that is present. This may be combined with radiation therapy as well as chemotherapy, both of which help further eradicate the cancerous cells.

In the advanced stages of the disease, surgery may no longer be an option.

Although these treatments may help alleviate the symptoms of your disease while extending survival time, they cannot cure mesothelioma. This underscores the need for better approaches to this illness.

Pleural effusions may provide a window
In order to develop a better treatment for respiratory malignancies caused by exposure to asbestos, scientists at Genelux created GL-ONC1, which is a modified form of the vaccinia virus that produces green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the body after it is activated. The GFP allows medical providers to track the medication’s activity.

Researchers at Genelux designed GL-ONC1 as a regimen for patients who develop malignant pleural effusions, which affect about 30 percent of individuals who have respiratory cancers. The NCI described this medical complication as an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural space that envelopes the lungs. If not treated properly, a pleural effusion may cause chest pain, cough and shortness of breath.

Previous studies to evaluate GL-ONC1 suggested that the agent is safe in humans who have other types of cancer. This new trial will deliver the drug candidate as a single dose to patients who develop pleural effusions because of diseases such as mesothelioma. The goal is to further verify safety while determining the best dose for intra-pleural delivery.

Clinical trial will benefit everyone
The current trial on GL-ONC1 will ultimately enroll a maximum of 54 patients, all of whom will have to undergo video-assisted thoracic surgery and pleural biopsies. Like all clinical trials, there is a risk of failure. However, regardless of whether the experiment produces the desired results, scientists will gain valuable knowledge into how to tackle respiratory cancers.

At Kazan Law, we appreciate the value of these experiments. If you are interested in participating in this or any other clinical trials, talk to your doctor. You can also consult the NCI or the American Cancer Society, both of which carry information on the latest ongoing studies.

Remember that not all individuals with a particular disease may be eligible for specific clinical trials. Furthermore, you may not see the positive results you want. However, your participation would promote the work to help future patients.

3 Factors that Impact a Mesothelioma Prognosis

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mesothelioma diagnosisReceiving the news that you have malignant pleural mesothelioma can be overwhelming, but knowing your diagnosis is a positive first step in fighting the battle. Next, your team of healthcare providers need to determine how extensive your disease is. This will help them decide which treatments are the most appropriate for you and which ones are not worth the expense and side effects.

At Kazan Law, we try to keep up with the latest medical developments. We know that when it comes to forming prognoses of cancer patients, doctors often rely on staging systems that describe the physical extent of the malignancy. However, when it comes to mesothelioma, arriving at an opinion may be more challenging. One team of scientists from Rome decided to comb through the various prognostic factors that researchers studied throughout the years and published their review in the journal Oncology.

Staging systems are inadequate
There are several treatment options for mesothelioma patients: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or a combination of any of these. Deciding which regimen to undergo depends partly on how advanced the disease is.

Experts from the National Cancer Institute say that surgical options – either extrapleural pneumonectomy or pleurectomy/decortication – are typically only recommended for patients who are in stage I of the disease. This means that the cancerous tissue is limited to certain areas of the chest lining. For stages II-IV, radiation or chemotherapy are often prescribed. However, some patients may still be eligible for pleurectomy/decortication.

The options for patients who have recurrent mesothelioma are mostly limited to participating in a clinical trial.

One problem with the staging system for mesothelioma is that, by the time patients are diagnosed, the disease is usually in its advanced stages. This underscores the need for better techniques to identify the disease and determine its extent.

Reviewers go from macro to micro
Although cancer prognoses often rely on staging systems, the amount of information that can describe mesothelioma is more vast than some medical professionals may know. The review recently published in Oncology grouped the various predictive factors of this disease into three main groups:

  1. Clinical factors. These include sex, age, extent of asbestos exposure, symptom severity, performance status, radiological imaging, blood cell abnormalities, enzyme abnormalities and the presence of certain proteins in the blood serum. Additionally, both patients’ cancer staging and their responses to treatment may also impact their prognoses.
  2. Genetic factors. Although asbestos exposure is the only known direct cause of mesothelioma, the carcinogen interacts with a unique set of genes in each patient. Prognoses may depend in part on the presence of mutations in individuals. Furthermore, the severity of a disease can be affected by mechanisms in the cells that control how certain genes are expressed.
  3. Molecular pathway factors. The way in which the machinery in your cells behaves can influence how well the diseased tissue thrives. For example, most healthy cells are programmed to die after a certain time, or after an extensive amount of damage takes place. It is not uncommon for cancerous cells to be missing this mechanism for cell death.

The Environmental Working Group estimates that mesothelioma claims the lives of more than 2,500 individuals in the U.S. every year. Having more effective methods of forming prognoses can help doctors decide which patients are eligible for certain treatments, including those that are more targeted.

“Until the suggested novel gene and immunologic therapies have demonstrated their effectiveness, the best approach that can be offered to patients remains as extensive a surgical cytoreduction as possible, followed by adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy,” the reviewers wrote. “Still, an adequate knowledge and evaluation of prognostic factors can help in defining the multidisciplinary approach to therapy in order to reduce the mortality from this lethal disease.”

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