A recent study of 110 patients suffering from malignant pleural mesothelioma has found that although single modality therapy has traditionally been the most common treatment approach, it has largely failed to treat this aggressive cancer, leading to a continued poor prognosis. However, this study, led by Dr. Hesham A. El Hossieny, found that those patients who undergo a multimodal treatment regimen, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation show the greatest results, especially when these treatments begin in the cancer’s early stages.
According to the study, only those patients who underwent the most aggressive form of treatment, involving surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, achieved a survival rate of five years.
Orlando, FL (PRWEB) January 27, 2011
Patients in the study received treatment based on the stage of their disease and their general health, with those in the earliest stages of the cancer and best health receiving “trimodality treatment.” The study reports that patients in later stages, showing advanced mesothelioma symptoms, or poorer health received only “bimodality” or more traditional, single modality treatment. The study explains 46 patients received this “trimodality treatment,” consisting of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. 36 patients received bimodality treatment consisting of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, while 26 patients received only radiation therapy. El Hossieny’s study found that the most aggressive form of treatment, involving all three treatment options, increased patient median survival, especially if they possessed stage II or III mesothelioma. According to the study, patients who underwent trimodality treatment had a median survival rate of 16 months, while those who underwent a bimodal course of treatment saw a median survival rate of 11 months. Those who underwent the only radiation therapy, which acted as only a palliative treatment, saw a life expectancy of just eight months. According to the study, only those patients who underwent the most aggressive form of treatment, involving surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, achieved a survival rate of five years.
Treatment responses were evaluated two to three weeks after radiation therapy ended. Responses were tested with CT chest and abdomen scans, in addition to clinical examinations to determine patient pain and other associated symptoms. At the time of the study’s release, 25 patients were still alive, with 23 of those having begun treatment in stage II and just two in stage III mesothlioma. Conversely, 22 patients saw distant tumor metastasis after an average of seven months following their treatment. 14 of those patients underwent only radiation therapy while 8 underwent both chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Based on the results of this study, a multimodal approach to mesothelioma treatment represents the best approach to extending the life expectancy of patients suffering from this highly aggressive cancer. Nevertheless, while this aggressive course of treatment represents the best option for patients showing early mesothelioma symptoms, treatment options still should be fully discussed between patient and doctor to account for individual concerns and desires. Considerations like quality of life, physical discomfort and emotional strain can all impact a patient’s chosen course of treatment.
Additional mesothelioma information regarding prognosis, cause and treatment can be found at MesotheliomaSymptoms.com.
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/01/prweb5002854.htm permits to republish here.
republised at http://asbestos-mesothelioma-blognewsinfo.blogspot.com/
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