| Mesothelioma is very rare disease, but once it strikes, | | | | treatment and tolerate is well. |
| death becomes inevitable. This lethal disease is | | | | "For many years we were unable to give too much |
| caused due to exposure to asbestos. A recent | | | | radiation to the chest because of extreme toxicity, |
| research study conducted has found an innovative | | | | but new technologies and treatment techniques have |
| idea to increase the survival rate and survival period | | | | helped us get around that," said Santosh Yajnik, MD, |
| of mesothelioma patients. | | | | radiation oncologist at MSKCC and lead author of the |
| The researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer | | | | study. In this study, the entire affected lung of |
| Center (MSKCC) have conducted this research and | | | | patients was removed. This also facilitated in giving a |
| they have presented their findings before the | | | | high dose of radiation therapy. |
| American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and | | | | MSKCC is one of the centers, which has facilities for |
| Oncology (ASTRO). This study was conducted | | | | offering this type of treatment. Nearly 63 patients at |
| between 1900 and 2000 and it was performed on | | | | the MSKCC were treated using extensive surgery. |
| various patients at different stages of mesothelioma. | | | | On an average, it was seen that their survival |
| According to this study, the cancer surgery for | | | | improved by 5 to 6 months by this type of |
| removal of the lung and lining has to be extensive | | | | treatment. |
| and this should be followed by a heavy dosage of | | | | Also, the researchers found that people who |
| radiation therapy to achieve the desired results. They | | | | approached them in the early stages had better |
| had observed that these patients did not suffer from | | | | survival rates as compared to those who approached |
| the toxic effects. They seem to be able to bear the | | | | them in the last stages of cancer. |