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Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that is hard to treat. A primary type of malignant mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma typically develops after exposure to asbestos and lies within the protective lining around the abdomen. Signs and symptoms are hard to diagnose until after the tumors have spread; therefore, the cancer is almost always fatal for patients. Genetic testing might prove to be helpful.
Treatment options for peritoneal mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and combinations of therapies. CRS/HIPEC is surgery combined with heat intraperitoneal chemotherapy and can extend the survival rate by several years.
Candidates for CRS/HIPEC must have a centralized tumor that has not spread beyond the abdomen in order for doctors to remove it completely. The tumor removal surgery is followed with heated chemotherapy drugs in the abdomen and carries serious and complex health risks.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh and Emory University in Atlanta have developed a genetic based testing method to predict response to mesothelioma treatment. This method is a new, reliable technique to determine if the CRS/HIPEC procedure is a realistic option for peritoneal mesothelioma patients.
Researchers looked for alterations in the genes CDKN2A, NF2 and BAP1 that correlated to patients less likely to be helped by the CRS/HIPEC treatment. The study revealed patients with changing or missing CDKN2A and NF2 genes had lower overall survival rates, with an average survival of eight months.
Although there is a scientific evidence which shows mesothelioma patients carry the BAP1 gene, the gene did not have any bearing on the genetic testing to predict mesothelioma treatment response.
The total number of cancer specialists for peritoneal mesothelioma remains small. The genetic testing will help guide patients and doctors about future treatment options and their outcomes.
Getting the proper medical treatment is vital to people with peritoneal mesothelioma and asbestos-related illnesses. Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler are dedicated, experienced Philadelphia asbestos lawyers determined to fight for medical care and compensation for those diagnosed with mesothelioma. Call 800-569-0899 for a confidential case review or complete our online contact form. We represent mesothelioma patients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania.