The Effect of the Recalcitrant Cancer Act on Cancer Research

The words “cancer research” may evoke an image of white-coated scientists working diligently in their laboratories. But cancer research is also about money.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) had a budget of $4.8 billion in 2013, which is lower than in many previous years. In the past 40 years, the NCI has spent $90 billion on research and treatment, according to Dr. Margeret Cuomo, author of A World Without Cancer. On top of that, there are approximately 260 nonprofit organizations dedicated to raising money for cancer research, and altogether their annual budgets top $2.2 billion.

Yes, that’s a lot of money. And there is increasing frustration with the results, or lack of them. Although there have been a few breakthroughs with some specific cancers, critics say there has been no progress in other cancers. The cancer death rate has fallen about 1 percent a year since 1990, which does suggest slow progress. But critics say that is a small return for the amount of money being spent.

There is also growing concern that the amount of money pouring into cancer research has made cancer research too political. For example, the NCI and the American Cancer Society are accused of spending too much money in grants to pharmaceutical companies that are doing little more than tweaking old drugs to make them marginally better. The agencies and the pharmaceutical companies dispute that claim.

This frustration with the slow progress of cancer treatments resulted in the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act of 2012, which the President signed into law early last year. This Act directs the head of the NCI to steer attention and resources into research of recalcitrant cancers, defined in the bill as those with a five-year survival rate below 50 percent, and which have not seen substantial progress in the diagnosis or treatment.

Obviously, the intention it to push the NCI into giving more attention to cancers that have seen few improvements in treatment. The problem is, that’s a lot of them.

Lobbyists for pancreatic and lung cancer research pushed especially hard to get the “Recalcitrant Cancer” act passed, and recently the NCI released its recommended scientific protocols for continued pancreatic cancer research. Protocols for lung cancer research are expected soon. It’s not clear whether any other forms of cancer will benefit, however, even though many others fit the criteria.

For example, we don’t yet know if the “lung cancer” protocols will include protocols for mesothelioma, which has a 5 to 10 percent five-year survival rate and limited FDA-approved treatments.

Advocates for other kinds of cancer research view the Recalcitrant Cancer act warily. A man named Jonathan Agin, who lost a small daughter to a kind of brain cancer with no treatment at all, has been a vocal critic both of the Act and of the NCI. When he met with representatives of NCI to argue for more funding of children’s cancers, he was told that funding allocation does not matter, because discoveries in the lab often apply to many cancers.

Maybe so, but the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network still celebrated when the Recalcitrant Cancer Act passed. “It was the culmination of five years of effort by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s passionate advocates and volunteers—who sent “76,000 emails, made 14,000 calls to Congress and participated in 1,500 meetings,” PCAN said. They must think the funding allocation matters.

It’s also the case that the head of the NCI, Dr. Harold Varmus, is unhappy with the law because he believes it ties the hands of scientists to determine how money is spent. But others are unhappy with NCI and think there should be less emphasis on the search for cures and more emphasis on prevention. NCI’s annual budget requests include billions for research and treatment, but usually less than $300,000 for prevention and control. It is argued we are likely to have better results putting money into preventing cancers to begin with rather than continuing to sink nearly all of our anti-cancer money into looking for cures.

But maybe both kinds of research are needed. Many years ago breast cancer was all but ignored by medical research in spite of its frequency. Then it became a cause, and today breast cancer is far and away the most well funded area of cancer research. Since 1975, the mortality rate from breast cancer has fallen from 31 deaths per 100,000 women to 23 deaths per 100,000 women. That means a lot of women have survived who would not have otherwise.

However the incidence rate has increased from 105 new cases per 100,000 women every year to 123 new cases. In 1999 a woman’s lifetime odds of getting breast cancer were one in nine, and now they are one in eight.

Why is this happening? There are many theories, but no one seems to know.

Part of the reason for the slow progress is that cancer actually is not one disease but more than 200 different diseases, each with different treatment requirements. And progress is being made, however slowly. However, clearly, there is more to be done.

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Recalcitrant

The words “cancer research” may evoke an image of white-coated scientists working diligently in their laboratories. But cancer research is also about money.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) had a budget of $4.8 billion in 2013, which is lower than in many previous years. In the past 40 years, the NCI has spent $90 billion on research and treatment, according to Dr. Margeret Cuomo, author of A World Without Cancer. On top of that, there are approximately 260 nonprofit organizations dedicated to raising money for cancer research, and altogether their annual budgets top $2.2 billion.

Yes, that’s a lot of money. And there is increasing frustration with the results, or lack of them. Although there have been a few breakthroughs with some specific cancers, critics say there has been no progress in other cancers. The cancer death rate has fallen about 1 percent a year since 1990, which does suggest slow progress. But critics say that is a small return for the amount of money being spent.

There is also growing concern that the amount of money pouring into cancer research has made cancer research too political. For example, the NCI and the American Cancer Society are accused of spending too much money in grants to pharmaceutical companies that are doing little more than tweaking old drugs to make them marginally better. The agencies and the pharmaceutical companies dispute that claim.

This frustration with the slow progress of cancer treatments resulted in the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act of 2012, which the President signed into law early last year. This Act directs the head of the NCI to steer attention and resources into research of recalcitrant cancers, defined in the bill as those with a five-year survival rate below 50 percent, and which have not seen substantial progress in the diagnosis or treatment.

Obviously, the intention it to push the NCI into giving more attention to cancers that have seen few improvements in treatment. The problem is, that’s a lot of them.

Lobbyists for pancreatic and lung cancer research pushed especially hard to get the “Recalcitrant Cancer” act passed, and recently the NCI released its recommended scientific protocols for continued pancreatic cancer research. Protocols for lung cancer research are expected soon. It’s not clear whether any other forms of cancer will benefit, however, even though many others fit the criteria.

For example, we don’t yet know if the “lung cancer” protocols will include protocols for mesothelioma, which has a 5 to 10 percent five-year survival rate and limited FDA-approved treatments.

Advocates for other kinds of cancer research view the Recalcitrant Cancer act warily. A man named Jonathan Agin, who lost a small daughter to a kind of brain cancer with no treatment at all, has been a vocal critic both of the Act and of the NCI. When he met with representatives of NCI to argue for more funding of children’s cancers, he was told that funding allocation does not matter, because discoveries in the lab often apply to many cancers.

Maybe so, but the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network still celebrated when the Recalcitrant Cancer Act passed. “It was the culmination of five years of effort by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s passionate advocates and volunteers—who sent “76,000 emails, made 14,000 calls to Congress and participated in 1,500 meetings,” PCAN said. They must think the funding allocation matters.

It’s also the case that the head of the NCI, Dr. Harold Varmus, is unhappy with the law because he believes it ties the hands of scientists to determine how money is spent. But others are unhappy with NCI and think there should be less emphasis on the search for cures and more emphasis on prevention. NCI’s annual budget requests include billions for research and treatment, but usually less than $300,000 for prevention and control. It is argued we are likely to have better results putting money into preventing cancers to begin with rather than continuing to sink nearly all of our anti-cancer money into looking for cures.

But maybe both kinds of research are needed. Many years ago breast cancer was all but ignored by medical research in spite of its frequency. Then it became a cause, and today breast cancer is far and away the most well funded area of cancer research. Since 1975, the mortality rate from breast cancer has fallen from 31 deaths per 100,000 women to 23 deaths per 100,000 women. That means a lot of women have survived who would not have otherwise.

However the incidence rate has increased from 105 new cases per 100,000 women every year to 123 new cases. In 1999 a woman’s lifetime odds of getting breast cancer were one in nine, and now they are one in eight.

Why is this happening? There are many theories, but no one seems to know.

Part of the reason for the slow progress is that cancer actually is not one disease but more than 200 different diseases, each with different treatment requirements. And progress is being made, however slowly. However, clearly, there is more to be done.

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Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer. Established and experimental treatments may slow the progress of the disease and alleviate the discomfort caused by symptoms, but they do not rid the body of the disease entirely. Some individuals will also choose to pursue alternative therapies instead of, or in addition to, established forms of therapy. 

After an individual is diagnosed with mesothelioma, she or he has a great deal of information to absorb quickly. Patient advocacy groups, including the American Cancer Society, recommend that an individual and his/her family or support system first learn about the disease and then make informed decisions about the type of treatment that is best suited to his or her wishes and needs. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most established and common forms of treatment. Experimental therapies include immunotherapy, gene therapy and anti-angiogenic therapy. Alternative therapies include acupuncture, herbal medicine, dietary changes, breathing techniques and yoga. 

In recent years, there has been greater attention devoted to alternative therapies. The American Cancer Society explains that there are two forms of alternative treatments: "Alternative therapy is treatment that patients undergo instead of traditional treatment, while complementary therapy is used in conjunction with standard treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.". (In this article, "alternative therapy" will be used as a general term to describe both approaches.) 

Alternative therapy is an umbrella term that can describe herbal or medicinal approaches; dietary supplements or restricted diets; or medical treatments based in eastern medicine, such as acupuncture. One of the fundamental principles of alternative therapy is that it treats the whole patient, offering a holistic approach and promoting health across systems within the body. This differs from established therapies, which focus entirely on attacking the cancer. 

Because established therapies typically do not cure mesothelioma and sometimes have significant side effects, some individuals choose to instead pursue alternative therapies to focus on reducing the pain and discomfort associated with malignant mesothelioma. Others choose to use complementary therapies to reduce the side effects of standard therapies. It is important to emphasize that one approach is not more correct, or advisable, than another; working with a doctor and a support system, each individual should make the treatment decisions that are best suited to his or her wishes. 

Recommendations related to alternative therapies for mesothelioma treatment include general ones designed to reduce stress and improve the body's overall health. These include consuming fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, eating lean rather than fatty meats, and including antioxidants in the diet. If possible, exercise is also recommended as a way to reduce stress and improve the immune system. Exercise may be difficult, however, due to common mesothelioma symptoms such as shortness of breath. Meditation and a method called biofeedback are recommended as ways to reduce stress, to enhance the effectiveness of treatments, and to improve quality of life. 

Massage, and therapeutic touch, have long been used to help relieve pain, to increase relaxation and to improve mood. Many hospital and hospices include massage therapists on their staffs. Additionally, friends and family members can learn certain massage techniques. When mesothelioma is more advanced, those performing massages should be very attuned to avoiding any areas of particular pain or tenderness and should use a gentle touch. 

Acupuncture can also be used to help relieve pain and certain symptoms associated with established treatments. Acupuncture has been practiced as a form of Eastern medicine for thousands of years to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions and for general health maintenance. This treatment involves inserting small needles into specific parts of the body and is based on a diagnostic process that differs from the one used in Western medicine. This philosophy of medicine looks at how energy flows through the body and uses needles to help release energy flow to restore balance to the body. One common use of acupuncture in treating cancer is to relieve symptoms associated with chemotherapy, such as nausea. It can also be used to relieve pain associated with mesothelioma. 

Another aspect of Eastern medicine is herbal therapy. There are many herbal remedies that are recommended to boost the immune system. For example, astragalus root has been shown to activate immune cells and some believe that it is thus an important aid to the body in fighting cancer. Echinacea, which is now a widely used treatment for the common cold, is also an immune-boosting herb, triggering the production of interferon and, some believe, aiding the body in combating diseases such as cancer. 

Other alternative therapies include reflexology (a type of foot massage that is based on acupressure, another form of Eastern medicine); aromatherapy (which involves using oils made from plant and tree extracts in the massage process); and shiatsu (a form of massage which originated in Japan). In some cases, alternative therapies yield drugs that are proven effective in treatment. For example, Taxol, which is a widely used anti-cancer drug, is made from the bark of the Pacific Yew tree. 

One critique of alternative therapies is that they are not rigorously tested for either effectiveness or safety. While new drugs are evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, there is no similar approval process for alternative therapies. Thus, much evidence of the effectiveness of alternative therapies is anecdotal. Some advocacy groups also warn patients that using alternative therapies may interfere with or impede the effects of established treatments. To avoid this, it is recommended that individuals actively consult with physicians about all treatment choices, including alternative therapies that may not be directly prescribed by the physician. 

Just as each individual's experiences with cancer are unique, treatment choices and plans are also frequently unique. It is recommended that a patient and his/her family or support system learn as much as they can about the type of mesothelioma diagnosed, the disease progression, the stages of mesothelioma, and available forms of treatment, and take into account a patient's wishes in making decisions about the type of treatment, or the combination of treatments, to pursue. 

Cited From: Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments Are Available | Asbestos.net http://www.asbestos.net/mesothelioma/treatment/alternative-medicine-and-therapy-options-for-mesothelioma#ixzz2OlqgJt1v

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Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and devastating cancer associated with long-term exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma treatment options depend on how far the disease has progressed when it is diagnosed. 

While the average lifespan after diagnosis is less than 18 months, early detection and aggressive mesothelioma treatment can substantially improve this prognosis.

Traditionally, there are three primary treatments for mesothelioma as well as other forms of cancer: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Call us at  (888) 360-4125 to speak with a mesothelioma paralegal

Mesothelioma Treatment: Surgery

Surgery is most effective as a mesothelioma treatment if the cancer is detected before it has spread throughout the body. Depending on the size and location of the cancerous tissue, surgery may involve the removal of a small area of tissue, portions of the lung, or in some cases, an entire lung.  Surgery may be paired with other mesothelioma treatments to ensure that any cells remaining after the procedure are destroyed.

Mesothelioma Treatment: Chemotherapy

Another common mesothelioma treatment is chemotherapy, which uses powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells and prevent them from multiplying. There are over 100 chemotherapy drugs in use today. The chemo drug, pemetrexed disodium (trade name Alimta^®), has been shown to lengthen the average life expectancy of mesothelioma patients when used in combination with other drugs.

Mesothelioma Treatment: Radiation

Radiation is a mesothelioma treatment that uses targeted X-rays to destroy cancer cells and help prevent or slow the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body. Like surgery, radiation is often used in combination with other modalities to enhance the potential of success.

Mesothelioma Treatment: Biologic Therapy

Biologic therapy, or immunotherapy, is a newer type of mesothelioma treatment that involves the use of special substances to improve the immune system’s ability to fight and eliminate cancer cells. Cancer vaccines are a form of biologic therapy, with several varieties currently under development. While they may not completely protect a person from cancer, vaccines ultimately may be able to minimize the use of more invasive mesothelioma treatments.

Are You a Victim of Asbestos Exposure?

If you’re currently undergoing mesothelioma treatment, call Sokolove Law today at  888-360-4215 to learn about your legal rights.

Cited From: Mesothelioma Treatment Options | Asbestos.net http://www.asbestos.net/mesothelioma/treatment#ixzz2OlqKd7MS

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Malignant Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma

While the prognosis for malignant mesothelioma is generally poor, the type of mesothelioma tumor is an important factor in determining life expectancy. Mesothelioma tumors are classified into three main types: epithelioid mesothelioma, biphasic mesothelioma, and sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

What is Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma?

Accounting for just 10% to 20% of all cases, sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the least common type of malignant mesothelioma. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma tumor cells are often confused with other types of cells, and their irregular, oval shape makes them harder to detect under a microscope than epithelioid or biphasic mesothelioma tumors.

Call us at  (888) 360-4125 to speak with a mesothelioma paralegal

Delays in detection and diagnosis help to make sarcomatoid mesothelioma the deadliest form of malignant mesothelioma, with a typical life expectancy of six months or less following diagnosis.

How is Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Treated?

While its treatments are the same as those for epithelioid and biphasic tumor types, sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the type most resistant. Treatments for sarcomatoid mesothelioma aren’t likely to produce a cure. Instead, they focus on prolonging life and making patients as comfortable as possible.

Treatment options for patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma may include traditional therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, as well as less conventional treatments such as gene therapy and immunotherapy. If you have sarcomatoid mesothelioma, ask your doctor about clinical trials, which can provide access to the most cutting-edge treatments if you qualify.

Know Your Legal Rights

In addition to physical pain and suffering, mesothelioma patients live with the outrage that their exposure to asbestos was caused by corporate misdeeds, whether willful or negligent. While nothing can right that wrong, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries.

To learn how a mesothelioma lawsuit can make your life with sarcomatoid mesothelioma a little easier, call Sokolove Law at  1-888-360-4215 today. Don’t delay – the statutes of limitations restrict the timeframe in which you can file a claim.

Cited From: Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma Symptoms And Causes | Asbestos.net http://www.asbestos.net/mesothelioma/info/malignant-sarcomatoid-mesothelioma#ixzz2Olq1rBnf

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Malignant Mesothelioma

Asbestos fibers are extremely dangerous when released into the air. When asbestos is inhaled or swallowed, the fibers become embedded deep in the body’s tissues, leading to serious illnesses like malignant mesothelioma.

Malignant Mesothelioma Explained

Also known simply as mesothelioma, malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the membrane that covers internal organs like the lungs and heart and forms a lining around the chest (pleura), the abdomen (peritoneum), and the area around the heart (pericardium).

Call us at (888) 360-4125 to speak with a mesothelioma paralegal

Malignant mesothelioma tumors are generally classified into three types:

• Epithelioid tumors make up 50% to 70% of malignant mesotheliomas and have the best prognosis.
• Sarcomatoid tumors make up 7% to 20% of malignant mesotheliomas.
• Mixed/biphasic tumors make up 20% to 35% of malignant mesotheliomas.

Malignant Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Malignant mesothelioma is usually diagnosed only when symptoms appear—often many years after the asbestos exposure. Because the symptoms of malignant mesothelioma are similar to other common illnesses, the patient may ignore them for months, delaying the diagnosis even further.

Early symptoms of malignant mesothelioma may include:

• Coughing up blood
• Hoarseness
• Pain in the lower back, side, or abdomen
• Weight loss
• Weakness or fatigue
• Fluid in the chest or abdomen

If you have been exposed to asbestos and you experience any of these symptoms, let your doctor know. To diagnose malignant mesothelioma, your doctor may take your medical history, perform a physical examination, conduct diagnostic imaging studies, and analyze fluid and tissue samples.

Malignant Mesothelioma Staging and Treatment

Without early detection, the prognosis for malignant mesothelioma is poor, and treatment options are limited. Your doctor will determine the stage of your tumor based on its size, whether it has spread to nearby nodes or distant areas of your body, and whether or not it can be removed by surgery. Once the tumor’s stage is known, your doctor will also consider factors like your age, weight, and general health in recommending malignantmesothelioma treatments such as:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Experimental therapies, such as immunotherapy
• Holistic therapies, such as yoga or dietary changes

If you have malignant mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation for the asbestos exposure that caused your illness. Keep in mind that the time to file a claim is restricted by statutes of limitations, however. To see if a mesothelioma lawyer can help you get compensation, call Sokolove Law today at 1-888-360-4215.

Cited From: Malignant Mesothelioma Symptoms And Causes Defined | Asbestos.net http://www.asbestos.net/mesothelioma/info/malignant-mesothelioma#ixzz2NcEqwql4

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Malignant Biphasic Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cancer cells are found in the thin layer of tissue that lines the chest cavity and covers the lungs, called the pleura. Malignant mesothelioma is also a disease in which malignant cancer cells can be found in the thin layer of tissue that lines the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen, called the peritoneum. Finally, mesothelioma can also be found in the pericardium, or part of the lining of the heart.

As malignant mesothelioma is a form of asbestos cancer, risk factors include working or living in a place where asbestos is inhaled or swallowed, living with an individual who works near asbestos, and being exposed to a certain virus. The period between the time of exposure to asbestos and the onset of symptoms is estimated at 20 to 50 years, which is why most cases are diagnosed later in life. Signs of malignant mesothelioma include trouble breathing, weight loss, lumps in the abdomen, pain under the rib cage, and pain or swelling in the abdomen.

Bronchoscopy Out of the thousands of people who malignant mesothelioma diagnosis each year, the vast majority are men. Malignant mesothelioma is diagnosed through physical examination, chest x-ray, complete blood count (CBC), sedimentation rate, bronchoscopy, cytologic exam, or biopsy such as fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA), thoracoscopy, laparotomy, or thoracotomy.

Malignant mesothelioma is divided into three cell types or “histological categories” including epithelioid mesothelioma, biphasic mesothelioma, and sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Malignant mesothelioma types are further divided into subtypes under each category. In many cases, malignant mesothelioma patients will have more than one type of cell.

Malignant biphasic mesothelioma or “mixed biphasic mesothelioma” is fast becoming a major type of malignant mesothelioma. It is currently seen in approximately 46-63 percent of all malignant mesothelioma cases. Biphasic mesothelioma is a combination of epithelioid and sarcomatoid mesothelioma cancer subtypes. It does not have a distinct cellular structure, but rather two very different mesothelioma cell types. This makes it easier to diagnose and less confusing than sarcomatoid or epithelioid mesothelioma.

In malignant biphasic mesothelioma, the tumor contains the two different subtypes in different parts of the tumor. In a nutshell, when a patient is diagnosed with biphasic mesothelioma, they are basically diagnosed with both epithelioid and sarcomatoid mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma Treatment Treatment options for malignant biphasic mesothelioma as well as malignant sarcomatoid mesothelioma and malignant epithelioid mesothelioma are all the same. Some treatments may be used alone or in combination with one another. Treatments for malignant mesothelioma will fall under two main categories. These include traditional mesothelioma treatments and new mesothelioma treatments.

Traditional mesothelioma treatments include: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy or radiotherapy. In many cases a trimodality approach is employed, which means several treatments are combined for the very best outcomes, for a better chance at long-term survival, and/or a better quality of life. The type of treatment will also vary depending on the stage of the malignant mesothelioma. There are four stages.

Types of malignant mesothelioma surgery include pleurectomy/decortication, pneumonectomy, thoracentesis, and the most drastic type of surgery -- extrapleural pneumonectomy. Pleurectomy/decortication removes part of the infected lung and the surrounding chest lining; pneumonectomy involves total lung removal, and thoracentesis is a type of surgery that involves the draining of excess fluid from the lungs through a needle. This procedure aids in breathing and reduces stress and pressure on the lungs.  Pleurectomy/decortication and pneumonectomy are mostly performed to relieve pain and they rarely have an effect on the survival rate of patients.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy is typically performed in the earliest stages of malignant mesothelioma. It is a complicated procedure that involves the total removal of the linings that surround the lung, heart, and diaphragm. This will prevent the lining from being infected with mesothelioma. This procedure is performed on relatively healthy patients and in combination with chemotherapy and radiation. It typically takes a year to recover. While extrapleural pneumonectomy will extend life by several years, it is often not a cure for any of the three types of malignant mesothelioma.

Radiation Therapy Radiation therapies for the three types of malignant mesothelioma include two main types: internal radiation therapy also known as brachytherapy and external radiation therapy. Radiation is used to kill cancer cells and shrink the tumor to a manageable size. It relieves pain and reduces symptoms such as shortness of breath. Radiation does not, however, come without consequences. In order to kill all of the cancerous cells, there can be significant damage to the patient.

Chemotherapy involves several types of anti-cancer drugs either injected directly into the lungs or taken in pill form or intravenously. Chemotherapy drugs disrupt the growth of cancer cells in patients with malignant mesothelioma. Unfortunately, these drugs can damage normal healthy cells as well and can cause unpleasant side effects ranging from hair loss and nausea to anemia and hemorrhaging. Additionally, chemotherapy is not very effective in treating the three types of malignant mesothelioma, especially sarcomatoid mesothelioma.

New malignant mesothelioma treatments include gene therapy, immunotherapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy or IMRT, photodynamic therapy or PDT and development of new chemotherapy agents. New mesothelioma treatments such as gene therapy, immunotherapy, and photodynamic therapy or PDT offer new hope for doctors and mesothelioma patients. Doctors, scientists, and researchers are attempting to further develop these new treatment modalities, with the hope that they will be successful where traditional treatments have failed. To date, these new treatments for mesothelioma have not quite measured up to traditional methods, but they are currently being used in conjunction with traditional methods and they are, of course, constantly being monitored and assessed.

Mesothelioma Treatment Clinical Trials In addition to new malignant mesothelioma treatments such as gene therapy, immunotherapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy or IMRT, photodynamic therapy or PDT and the development of new chemotherapy agents, there are other “radical forms” of treatment for malignant biphasic mesothelioma, such as angiogenesis therapies, antineoplaston therapy, mesothelioma clinical trials, interferon and interleukin therapy, and radiofrequency ablation. A wide variety of complementary and alternative mesothelioma treatments are also currently being explored including: herbal products, special diets, homeopathic medicine, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, high dose vitamin C, laetrile (amygdalin, extracted from fruit pits), and Eastern medicines. 

Cited From: Malignant Biphasic Mesothelioma | Asbestos.net http://www.asbestos.net/mesothelioma/info/malignant-biphasic-mesothelioma#ixzz2NcDYY5iB

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