Due to the fact that mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of cancer, there is still so much left to be discovered regarding the disease. This is in true both in regards to improving treatment options, searching for a cure and even understanding the role asbestos fibers play in causing or facilitating mesothelioma.
The relative uncertainty surrounding the disease necessarily means that a great deal of scientific research is being conducted to gain the understanding we currently lack. As such, many new studies and reports are constantly released that provide reasons for optimism or, sometimes, skepticism.
What is a mesothelioma patient supposed to do with this new research? This is a fair and understandable question, and it is also a question that should not be taken lightly. Researching and better understanding any form of cancer is difficult, and mesothelioma is no exception to this rule.
Here are a few points to keep in mind when you are researching the latest in scientific research and advancement regarding the disease.
Focus on Research That Looks Largely or Even Exclusively at Mesothelioma
Given the many types of cancer that exist, some research may focus on the broad nature of cancer treatment. For example, researchers may look into the best way to shrink tumors of several types of cancer. Mesothelioma may be included in such a study, but research that focuses exclusively on more common cancers like lung, breast and prostate cancer may not have as many useful things to say about mesothelioma.
Understand that there is no treatment currently available that works on every form of cancer, a reminder that all forms of cancer are unique. Place more emphasis, therefore, on studies that focus predominately or, even better, exclusively on treating mesothelioma patients.
What Type of Mesothelioma Is Being Researched?
Broadly, mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with either peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma. The treatments that show the most promise for each type of mesothelioma vary dramatically. For example, since pleural mesothelioma tumors form in the pleura, a thin cell membrane lining the lungs and cavity of the chest, research has found that lung cancer treatments can work well for pleural mesothelioma patients.
If a peritoneal mesothelioma patient reads the positive outcomes of this study and internalizes the findings as being helpful for peritoneal mesothelioma, this can result in false expectations and dashed hopes.
Yes, some mesothelioma research overlaps between all types of mesothelioma (such as when the harms of asbestos are examined), but typically, it is wise to focus on studies or research efforts that examine your particular type of mesothelioma cancer.
Many Different Types of Research Are Conducted
The most important types of research to pay attention to as a mesothelioma patient are clinical trials that involve human patients. "In vitro" and "in vivo" research studies test treatments by using petri dishes/test tubes and animal testing, respectively. Findings from studies like these can be significant, but it is far more likely that clinical trial research and experimental clinical treatments will prove more beneficial for mesothelioma patients.
Indeed, mesothelioma patients who have gained eligibility for clinical trials have received treatments that improve patient outcomes and survival rates when compared to median mesothelioma survival rates traditionally.
Keeping these research tips in mind will help you or a loved one better understand the significant amounts of research that can be found regarding mesothelioma cancer.
For more information about mesothelioma or to discuss your legal claim, contact us to speak with a Ledger Law mesothelioma lawyer today.
