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Researchers from Mount Sinai Health System and the Department of Population Health at North Shore Long Island Jewish Hospital recently reported some interesting findings on gender and mesothelioma in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery. The study examined records of 14,200 mesothelioma patients who were diagnosed with mesothelioma from 1973 to 2009. Of these cases, 22 % were women.
The study tracked the impact of several different factors regarding the outcome of a mesothelioma patient’s survival rate. The researchers took into account age, year of diagnosis, race, disease stage, types of treatment (such as cancer-directed surgery and radiation therapy), marital status, number of children, and gender.
The study findings show that overall, women live 13 % longer than men who have mesothelioma. This significant difference between the genders made researchers wonder if female hormones play a determining role in life expectancy when battling mesothelioma. Conversely, researchers speculate whether male hormones, androgens, cause a more rapid spread of the cancer, similar to how prostate cancer spreads. These factors must be further examined in future research involving hormone therapy.
Additional research has been conducted in the field of hormone therapy as it relates to lung cancer treatment. The Journal of Thoracic Oncology reported on estrogen therapy in relation to lung cancer. The report found estrogen therapy significantly lengthens the survival rates for women who had non-small cell lung cancer. Taking progesterone in conjunction with the normal treatment protocols also increased life expectancy.
The report was conducted by the Detroit Karmanos Cancer Institute. They reviewed 485 female patients’ records from the Metropolitan Detroit Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Registry. Researchers conducted interviews to collect data and found women who had taken hormone therapy for 11 years or more had significantly better survival rates.
These two studies demonstrate the complex relationship between hormones and cancer survival rates, specifically when it comes to lung cancer. Men with prostate cancer are already often given androgen suppressing drugs to help slow down the progression of cancer. Researchers question if giving men these same androgen suppressing drugs would help lung cancer patients. Further research must be conducted to examine how hormones can impact a variety of cancers and the survival rates of patients.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related illness, you need an asbestos lawyer who can protect your rights so you can focus on your medical treatment. The Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler have the experience, compassion and skill you need to help you obtain financial security. Located in center city Philadelphia, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Call our office at 215-569-4000 to schedule an appointment or fill out our online contact form for help in securing the financial compensation you deserve.