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In a recent report in the Journal of International Medical Research, researchers from Dicle University, Department of Chest Diseases, claimed that specific inflammatory markers in patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma can help predict median survival rates and potential outcomes to treatment. Using data that included the level of asbestos exposure as well as the histology of 150 mesothelioma patients followed from diagnosis to death, the physicians were able to identify the indicators most useful in treatment planning for these patients.
While the median survival rate of all 150 patients in the study was just under 14 months, data analysis of these factors led researchers to identify those patients with the highest mortality rate. The study concluded that patients diagnosed with the non-epithelial form of malignant mesothelioma that were male, 60 years of age or over, and who also had an NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio) of three or higher, and an RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width) of 20% or higher had the lowest survival rates.
Researchers found that the NLR and RDW ratios provided the most significant information in projecting the survival rates of those studied. The RDW is a measurement of the variation in size of red blood cells. The higher the number, the lower the survival rate of the patient. Patients with an RDW of 20% or higher were found to have a 2.77 fold increase in death.
With the information provided by the study, doctors will be better able to design treatment plans for malignant mesothelioma patients. Taking into consideration the patient’s prognosis related to their inflammatory factors will enable physicians to identify those most likely to benefit from aggressive treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
A diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is devastating to a victim and their family. Mesothelioma patients face intense medical interventions, prescriptions, and therapy, quickly turning their lives upside down. The Pennsylvania and New Jersey asbestos attorneys at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler are advocates for victims of asbestos-related disease, and have helped countless families navigate through the often overwhelming process of seeking compensation for their illness.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like malignant mesothelioma, contact the Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers of Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler at 215-569-4000, or complete our online contact form. Our team of experienced and dedicated attorneys is committed to fighting for the maximum compensation available to you under the law.