A new approach to radiation and surgical treatment for mesothelioma is offering patients hope for the future. The latest Surgery for Mesothelioma After Radiation Therapy (SMART) method involves a five-day course of intense radiation with surgery to remove the diseased lung immediately following this treatment. The Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) limits the negative effects of radiation to the specific areas affected by the mesothelioma, leaving the surrounding organs and tissues unaffected. In the past, patients that had undergone surgery before radiation treatment had a 32% chance to survive three years. With the SMART method, 72% of patients have survived three or more years following treatment.
A recent study conducted by the Princess Margaret Cancer Center at the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, Canada followed 25 patients for four years that underwent the SMART method to treat their mesothelioma. According to the data reported in Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the patients required a shorter treatment cycle and had less chance of their cancer spreading to surrounding tissue during surgery. The recovery time for surgery was reduced, and patients enjoyed a much improved quality of life following treatment using the SMART method.
Researchers for the Princess Margaret Cancer Center study urge people who experience symptoms of asbestos-related disease to seek treatment as soon as possible. Unspecified weight loss, extreme fatigue, and shortness of breath are symptoms of mesothelioma. Patients that seek quick medical attention and are diagnosed with mesothelioma in its early stages will experience the greatest benefits from treatment.
The mesothelioma lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler can help relieve your family of financial burdens such as medical bills, treatment costs, surgery, medication, and lost wages caused by asbestos-related diseases. Call our Philadelphia and New Jersey mesothelioma lawyers at 800-369-0899 or 215-569-4000 to schedule an appointment to discuss her potential mesothelioma lawsuit. You can also contact us by completing our online contact form. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, let us help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Occupational hazards are associated with working at an oil refinery, from the risk of fires or explosions to being exposed…
The recurring pattern of poor communication plagues both the City of Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Public Schools system…
Asbestos shingle siding dates back to 1907, and the National Board of Fire Underwriters later endorsed it for its resistance…
Mesothelioma is an incurable disease that will have an immeasurable impact on both the person who was diagnosed and their…
Depending on the kind of mesothelioma you have and whether it has progressed, treatment options may alleviate symptoms and extend…
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. In most cases, mesothelioma affects people…