Author: Fran Mannino

Despite clinical trials that often produce inflated expectations, real-world survival rates for pleural mesothelioma have failed to advance significantly over the past three decades, according to one recent study in Canada. Celebrated treatment advances have fallen short for the average patient diagnosed with this rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. “This is a story […]

The post A Look at Three Decades of Real-World Mesothelioma Statistics appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

Willie McNeal Jr., a Vietnam War veteran and retired school bus driver, was awarded $4.8 million by a California Superior Court jury that determined asbestos-contaminated talc led to his diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. Whittaker, Clark & Daniels, a longtime talc supplier now based in South Plainfield, New Jersey, was ordered to pay McNeal $1.8 […]

The post Asbestos-Contaminated Talc Central to Old Spice Mesothelioma Lawsuit appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

Canada may soon become the first country to legally restrict the use of popular talc-based products, stemming from an extensive, recently completed human health assessment of the naturally occurring mineral. Health Canada, the governmental agency responsible for national health policy, issued an official advisory in April, concluding that loose talc products – such as body […]

The post Canada Moves Toward Increased Talc Restrictions appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

Scientists have discovered that the soil composition typically used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to cap asbestos Superfund sites actually increases mobility of the toxic mineral, sending it into groundwater that could endanger people nearby. This discovery disproves the long-held belief that, once buried, asbestos waste no longer presents a serious problem. The Journal […]

The post Buried Asbestos Remains a Concern at EPA Superfund Sites appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

Scientists in Scotland have developed a prototype imaging system using artificial intelligence that has proven effective with malignant mesothelioma, potentially revolutionizing the way patients will be treated in the future. The pilot program could spark much-needed advances in diagnostics and therapeutics. “Mesothelioma is such a complex, incredibly difficult disease,” Dr. Kevin Blythe, professor of respiratory […]

The post Scientists Develop Artificial Intelligence for Mesothelioma Assessment appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

Although no amount of asbestos exposure is considered safe, lower levels of non-occupational exposure are most often linked to long-term survival for those diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, according to a recent study. Clinical Lung Cancer published the study that compared characteristics of 43 pleural mesothelioma patients who survived at least five years with the […]

The post Pleural Mesothelioma Patients with 5-Year Survival Still Rare appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will be closely watching the latest, international phase III clinical trial for unresectable pleural mesothelioma involving the immunotherapy drug durvalumab. FDA approval may be coming soon. “It looks very promising,” Dr. Arkadiusz Dudek, of Regions Hospital Cancer Care Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, told The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. […]

The post Phase III Trial of Durvalumab for Mesothelioma Underway appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

Millions of people across the United States have begun receiving their COVID-19 vaccines, and restrictions are lifting in many public spaces such as restaurants and bars. Mesothelioma patients may be looking forward to returning to life as it was before the pandemic. However, a new study reports that the COVID-19 vaccine may not sufficiently protect […]

The post COVID Vaccine Gives Less Protection for Some Cancer Patients appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

As overwhelming as major surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma can be, there is a small cohort of patients who still would benefit from a second aggressive operation following the almost inevitable cancer recurrence. There are tangible returns, according to a recent study. Extended survival and better quality of life still can be attained. “A second […]

The post Some Mesothelioma Patients May Benefit from Second Radical Surgery appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

An estimated 300 metric tons of raw chrysotile asbestos was imported into the U.S. in 2020, almost doubling the amount from 2019, according to the recent United States Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries report. The chloralkali industry accounted for 100% of the imports, all from Brazil. This industry uses the asbestos in the manufacturing of […]

The post U.S. Asbestos Imports Increased Significantly in 2020 appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

Men with mesothelioma outnumber women four to one. However, numerous studies have shown that women with mesothelioma often have a survival advantage over men. Now, scientists might have a better understanding of why. Researchers have identified a gene that predicts the prognosis and treatment outcome for women with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The research took place […]

The post New Link Between Women with Mesothelioma and Survival Genes appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

The Center for Asbestos Related Disease in Libby, Montana, dodged a potential setback recently when officials from the U.S. Department of Justice decided against joining a lawsuit alleging fraudulent medical practices. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway filed the original suit in 2019 against the center – known as the CARD Clinic – alleging Medicare fraud […]

The post Legal Fight Continues Over Asbestos Disease in Libby, Mont. appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

The Center for Asbestos Related Disease in Libby, Montana, dodged a potential setback recently when officials from the U.S. Department of Justice decided against joining a lawsuit alleging fraudulent medical practices. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway filed the original suit in 2019 against the center – known as the CARD Clinic – alleging Medicare fraud…

The post Legal Fight Continues Over Asbestos Disease in Libby, Mont. appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

More than ever, Dr. Michele Carbone at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center believes early testing for genetic mutations can lead to fewer cases of malignant mesothelioma and a longer survival time for many who do contract the disease. Lives can be saved. Years can be added. “It could change the way we treat these patients,” Carbone told The […]

The post Research Reinforces Gene Mutation Links to Mesothelioma appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.

More than ever, Dr. Michele Carbone at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center believes early testing for genetic mutations can lead to fewer cases of malignant mesothelioma and a longer survival time for many who do contract the disease. Lives can be saved. Years can be added. “It could change the way we treat these…

The post Research Reinforces Gene Mutation Links to Mesothelioma appeared first on Mesothelioma Center – Vital Services for Cancer Patients & Families.