Lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma share symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and weight loss. They both affect areas associated with the lungs, with lung cancer forming in lung tissue, and mesothelioma forming in the lining of the lungs. Treatment options vary, but include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
The two forms of cancer differ dramatically in terms of risk. While lung cancer can be caused by smoking, air pollution, and exposure to asbestos, pleural mesothelioma is only caused by exposure to asbestos, making it an incredibly rare and dangerous form of cancer. As particles of asbestos can become trapped in bodily tissues indefinitely, ongoing damage can carry on as victims age. Mesothelioma is also difficult to diagnose, and patients diagnosed from the rare form of cancer suffer from a lack of treatment options as the cancer progresses.
Increased cancer research and advancements in technology have resulted in a large variety of cancer treatments. Today, it is common for medical professionals to create personalized treatment plans, particularly where mesothelioma patients are concerned.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not changed its specified treatment options for unresectable mesothelioma, patients can participate in clinical trials or utilize the FDA’s expanded access program to explore further treatment options. Further treatment options include:
Opdivo and Tecentriq have recently been used as second-line treatments where chemotherapy has stopped working, and have helped to alleviate the symptoms and extend life expectancy of patients with mesothelioma.
If you or someone you love has been impacted by mesothelioma, contact a Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyer at Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler. To set up an initial consultation, complete our online form or call 215-569-4000 or 800-369-0899. For more than three decades we have served the people of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey as well as Delaware County, Chester County, and Philadelphia County.
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