Researchers Report Multimodality Therapy was Effective Treating Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma News

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Study Shows Promise Using Multimodality Therapy

April 25, 2008 — Researchers from Columbia University concluded in a recent study that intensive multimodality therapy was an effective treatment for patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, a deadly disease caused by exposure to asbestos. The study, reported in the February 2008 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Oncology 2008; 31:49–54 proved that intensive multimodality therapy—a combination of resection (radical surgery), intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and whole abdominal radiation therapy—proved effective for 27 patients who experienced relatively favorable outcomes. Researchers reported 67% of peritoneal mesothelioma patients had at least a three–year survival rate, and even more encouraging, the median survival rate was 70 months. Interestingly, they also reported that seven patients were alive and showed no signs of mesothelioma or reoccurrence of the tumor, at a median of 17 months. (American Journal of Clinical Oncology, February 2008)

Mesothelioma, is a rare form of cancer that invades mesothelial cells that make up the membranes lining the chest, the stomach or abdomen, and the heart. Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma affects the cells of the abdominal lining, also known as the peritoneum, which protects organs in the abdomen. Pleural mesothelioma is cancer of the pleura, or the membrane that lines the lungs and chest cavity. While pleural mesothelioma, is the most common form of the disease, peritoneal mesothelioma accounts for about 20% of diagnosed cases. Since peritoneal mesothelioma is an extremely rare disease, controlled trials testing different types of treatment are very difficult to find.

Treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma often includes using more than one single approach. Typically, a multimodality approach is used in conjunction with surgical debulking (the surgical removal of part of the tumor) and is followed by chemotherapy. Peritoneal mesothelioma is sometimes treated with radiation therapy treatment, high–energy rays such as x–rays to kill or shrink cancer cells, but there is little documentation about this type of treatment. Considering the lack of research on this disease, it is unclear if it was a particular treatment or a combination of treatments that contributed to the improvement of the patients’ health in the study.

Your Mesothelioma Case, How Brayton Purcell Can Help

For over 24 years, the California mesothelioma attorneys of Brayton Purcell have been extensively involved with the legal rights of mesothelioma victims, including injured workers and their families. We have represented both asbestos workers and individuals who have come into contact with asbestos through others. We seek damages to the full extent allowed by law in order to compensate our clients for their pain and suffering, loss of wages, and medical expenses.

If you would like to request more information about how Brayton Purcell’s mesothelioma lawyers can help you, you may contact our attorneys through this web site or at our offices. Although our main offices are in California, Oregon and Utah, we have a nationwide client base having represented asbestos victims from every state. Many of our mesothelioma lawyers are admitted to practice in multiple states.