Survival Extended with Radiotherapy Prior to Mesothelioma Surgery as Shown by Studies

Researchers often trace back through years’ worth of the medical records and professional studies of patients with malignant mesothelioma – regardless of whether such treatment methods have or have not benefitted patients. The purpose of this is associated with the continuous search for effective treatments for rare and serious disease. Scientists have learned more about adjuvant radiotherapy (also known as pre-operative radiation) and its impact on extending a patient’s survival through what was described as one of the largest retrospective studies ever conducted. If you or a loved one was recently diagnosed with stage 4 mesothelioma, the patient advocates at the Asbestos Cancer Organization may be able to help you.

The impact of adjuvant radiotherapy as examined by the retrospective study

The study was a collaborative effort by scientists from both Baylor College of Medicine and Weil Cornell Medical College which focalized on patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma through the National Cancer Database. Patients who had been treated between 2004 and 2013 had been broken down into three separate groups:

• Those who had not gone through treatment
• Those who have had surgery alone
• Those who had radiation therapy prior to surgery with the intention of shrinking tumors and preventing further cell division within any remaining mesothelioma cells

Lead author of the study, Gary Lewis, MD, wrote, “Overall, the surgery plus radiotherapy group had a higher median survival (21.4 months) compared with surgery alone (16.59 months)”. Therefore, a clear advantage in survival was depicted from the group that had undergone the adjuvant radiotherapy through this study.

Frequent usage of radiotherapy for aggressive surgery

The use of radiotherapy in relation to mesothelioma patient treatment studies were not always common. In fact, it was most commonly used for patients with the most aggressive type of mesothelioma surgery: extrapleural pneumonectomy – which involves a large removal of tissue and organs, including the affected lung. Despite the less frequent use of such radiation therapy for patients undergoing the lung-sparing pleural decortication the results of this study could change future practices. Nonetheless, further research and studies are planned by researchers.

How We Can Help

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma it is extremely important to be optimistic as further research and discovers can bring new hope of a cure. Our website is packed full of highly informative mesothelioma and asbestos exposure-related information. We make sure to keep our content up to date on the latest mesothelioma information. The goal of any organization like our own is to ensure transparency when it comes to data published about mesothelioma. We do not, under any circumstances, provide medical advice nor do we ever make any suggestions regarding what forms of treatment a patient should decide to undertake. We simply publish information that we deem as useful and fit for our website to enlighten readers and patients alike. Stay informed with The Asbestos Cancer Organization for more information regarding the latest findings of this rare asbestos-related disease at AsbestosCancer.org or call us today at 1-800-799-2234.

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