Radiation Therapy for Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the tissue that lines certain organs in the human body. Typically, asbestos-induced mesothelioma starts in the lungs and abdomen, but it can also begin in the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) and the tunica vaginalis (testicular mesothelioma). It is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers, which lodge in the body and cause inflammation and scarring. There is no cure. Unfortunately, most people aren’t diagnosed with mesothelioma until decades after exposure, making the disease difficult to treat. The median survival time is only about one year after diagnosis. But a new radiotherapy shows promise for mesothelioma sufferers and may extend their life expectancy.The new study, presented at the ESTRO 38 conference, was led by Dr. Marco Trovo, Chief of the Radiation Oncology Department at University Hospital of Udine, Italy. Following 108 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma from 2014 to 2018, the study looked at patients whose cancer could not be completely removed with surgery. While in the past mesothelioma patients have often received palliative radiotherapy to control their symptoms, this study used radiotherapy to attempt to prevent the spread of cancer to surrounding tissue.Half the patients were randomly assigned to receive “radical hemi-thoracic radiotherapy.” They received radiation to the left or right side of the trunk, depending on the location of their cancer, in 25 treatments delivering a dose of 50 Gy. (Gy is a standardized dosage of radiation.) These patients also received a dose of 60 Gy delivered to the precise location of the tumor. The other half of the patients received more typical palliative radiotherapy, with 5 to 10 treatments of 25-30 Gy delivered to the precise location of the tumor.Of the patients receiving the aggressive form of radiotherapy, 58% were alive two years later. While, of the patients receiving the palliative radiotherapy, only 28% were alive two years later. There were some side effects associated with the aggressive form of radiotherapy, including inflammation of the lung, weakness, nausea, and mild inflammation of the esophagus. But this new radiation therapy shows promise for extending the lives of mesothelioma patients in the future.Madeksho Law Firm has decades of experience helping victims of mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases. If you have questions about your illness, call us at 888-910-MESO (6376) for a no-cost consultation.
