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Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects thousands of people every year who have been exposed to asbestos. Common exposure sites include factories, construction zones, homes, and schools, to name a few. The disease often affects the elderly as it takes between 20 and 50 years for symptoms to surface; thus, diagnosis usually occurs after a victim’s retirement. Currently, there is no cure for mesothelioma, and life expectancy is just one year. However, if you are seeking treatment for mesothelioma, there is hope. A recent study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information suggests that older patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma can benefit from surgery.
Dr. Mark Berry, a thoracic surgeon at Stanford University Medical Center, insists age should not discourage patients from seeking surgery. Dr. Berry and a group of Duke Cancer Center surgeons and oncologists conducted the most recent study, which comprised of two focus groups. The results indicated that surgery was beneficial for older and younger patients alike.
Older patients were previously considered unlikely candidates for surgical treatment. In 2015, Dr. Wickii Vigneswaran, a thoracic surgeon at Loyola University Medical Center, also supported the idea that age does not directly affect the outcome of surgery. Vigneswaran believes surgeons and oncologists are too quick to steer older patients away from surgery as a treatment option. Although mesothelioma is difficult to beat, the most recent study supported Dr. Vigneswaran’s claims and revealed that surgical treatment just about doubles the survival rate for both patients older and younger than 70 years of age.
Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler is a New Jersey and Pennsylvania based mesothelioma law firm that has represented asbestos victims since 1984. We understand that your diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming. If you believe that you may have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our experienced team of Philadelphia asbestos lawyers. Time is essential; complete our online contact form for more information or call us today at 800-369-0899 or at 215-569-4000.