A new study organized at the University of Canberra in Australia has discovered a possible new use for mistletoes, and cancer experts said that the parasitic mistletoe plant may be effective in treating certain types of cancer.
Dr. Ljubov Simson of the University of Canberra’s Immunotherapy Group stated that mistletoe is already used to cure cancer in Germany, and has been doing laboratory work that has “confirmed” the plant’s capability to “stimulate the body’s immune system” to kill cancerous cells.
According to their work, mistletoe killed off approximately 80% of a cancerous tumor. Mistletoe sets off coagulation, or the development of blood clots, and it also “separates” cancer cells and activates the eosinophil. Eosinophil is what makes a plant effective in treating cancer.
Important reminder is that mistletoe is a parasitic plant, meaning that it contains toxins and dosage would be further studied. Researchers are positive that this can be a potential treatment for mesothelioma cancer patients.
Source: Australian Study Claims Mistletoe Effective in Killing Cancer Cells
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A New York businessman that was previously convicted of illegal removal of asbestos has been prosecuted for the second time on similar charges. Paul Mancuso is facing up to 55 years in federal prison for violating the Clean Air Law. Paul’s father and brother have also been involved in irregular removal of asbestos at many different areas around upstate New York.
Paul’s previous convictions banned him from doing any future asbestos removal projects but he managed to set up separate companies under the names of his family and associates to cover up his continued involvement in asbestos removal. During this time, Paul and his father did countless asbestos-related projects that plagued businesses and residents. They also failed to properly dispose of asbestos materials by dumping them on the sides of roads. Steven Mancuso, a lawyer, is being charged with helping his family by coming up with false documents that made their work appear to be legal.
Aside from facing 55 years in prison, Paul has also been fined $2.7 million. His father could get 23 years with a $1.25 million fine. Steven and Ronald gets 5 and 3 years respectively, each of them having a fine of $250,000.
Source: Asbestos Abatement Contractors Beware
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The rate of mesothelioma incidents has steadily escalated over the last several decades, but according to a new research, cases of mesothelioma in the United States seems to be dropping. The research was conducted by a team at Health Sciences Practice in New York. The study was brought out through the analysis of mesothelioma cancer rates in certain age groups of individuals.
The data showed that while mesothelioma cases are still higher than normal in the expected age groups, the overall incidence rate of mesothelioma is really declining. The study also found out that cases were higher than normal rate in certain locations, including on the West Coast where major shipyards are positioned.
The mesothelioma incidence rate is falling for the older age groups, which included people who were most likely to have experienced asbestos exposure in the past. However, the rate stays higher for males aged 60 and above.
Source: New Mesothelioma Incidence Rate Study Shows Decline in Cases
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A high-dose of vinflunine provides positive results and survival rates in patients with mesothelioma, based on a report in the October 20th issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. There have been many medications that have been evaluated for pleural mesothelioma but the response rates are usually low and no survival signs were demonstrated.
Officials said that vinflunine was generally well tolerated, but careful execution is required to minimize injecton site reactions, which resulted in about half of the patients in the study.
Source: Vinflunine improves response and survival rate in mesothelioma
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Bernie Banton, who is battling mesothelioma was campaigning hard for the palliative drug Alimta to be put on the government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Mr. Banton had disputes with Tony Abbott, Health Minister because Mr. Abbott accused Banton of acting out, indicating that Banton’s intentions were not good. But Tony Abbott later apologised and personally called Banton to deliver the good news that a re-elected affiliation government’s goal was to have Alimta listed on the PBS in January.
Source: Mesothelioma Drug to be Subsidized
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British researchers recently performed a study of the effects of chemotherapy on patients suffering from terminal pleural mesothelioma. The results of the study stated that chemotherapy, along with other conventional cancer treatments, such as radiation, are generally only a means of symptom control in mesothelioma patients, as there is no certified cure for this individual disease.
Researchers dealt with the patients every 3-21 weeks and monitored their progress. When compared, the group who took chemotherapy and medications experienced what the researchers called “a small, non-significant survival benefit.” The quality of life was really not affected when researchers followed up with both groups of participants.
There is really no convincing benefit as far as survival rates or quality of life are concerned according to research findings. However, one positive result is the use of Vinorelbine, a chemotherapy drug, which showed minor increase in survival rates when paired up with other medications. Researchers are now seeking out further study of this particular drug.
Source: Researchers Continue To Test Effects Of Chemo On Mesothelioma Patients
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A new research from Italy found that Laparoscopic Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, or HIPEC, may be successful in treating patients with peritoneal mesothelioma. The results showed that a 49-year old female suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma felt significant comfort after undergoing HIPEC treatments. Researchers discovered that ascites, which is a swollen, painful concentration of fluid within the abdominal cavity, were lessened after the female underwent HIPEC. Actually , the ascites had not appeared back when researchers followed up with the patient about six months after the study.
HIPEC treatments are an “option” for peritoneal mesothelioma patients according to a medical spokesperson from the University of Perugia in Italy. There will be additional research to be done to determine a standard dosage for HIPEC treatments.
An article from the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery reported that a combination of cytoreductive surgery (surgery to reduce cancerous cells) and HIPEC is “a promising treatment for patients with peritoneal malignancies.” The article also said that HIPEC is “safe” and “feasible” when it follows cytoreductive surgery, and that the results of the related research are “encouraging”.
Source: Possible New Treatment For Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma Patients
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The Swiss Group for Cancer Research is looking for mesothelioma patients to join a clinical study that will determine whether mesothelioma symptoms can be better controlled with the use of a new device.
The Electronic Tool for Monitoring Symptoms and Syndromes Associated with Advanced Cancer (called E-MOSAIC) is a small, handheld device that monitors and tracks symptoms. Developers of E-MOSAIC are hopeful that the device will improve communication between mesothelioma patients and their doctors. They also believe that the device will play a vital role in planning and assessing cancer treatments.
Dr. Florian Strasser of the Kantonsspital Hospital in Switzerland will be heading the study, which is expected to be completed by July 2010.
Source: Mesothelioma Patients Needed for New Clinical Trial
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A woman from Minneapolis has “beat the odds” and claims that she is cured from mesothelioma cancer.
39 year old Heather Von St. James was diagnosed with mesothelioma almost 3 years ago and underwent a radical surgery to remove her left lung, the pericardial lining around her heart, half of her diaphragm, a rib, and several lymph nodes. According to her surgeon, Dr. David Sugarbaker of International Mesothelioma Program in Boston, Heather is “disease-free.”
“I am the poster child for hope after mesothelioma,” said Heather.
The survival rate associated with mesothelioma is about 1%, and most patients suffering from mesothelioma break down to the disease in less than 2 years following their diagnosis.
Source: A rare survival story in a brush with a rare and deadly cancer
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Ottavio Belvedere and his son Ric Belvedere, owners of Ottavio’s Italian restaurant and Ric’s restaurant in Camarillo, California, will have special menus on Monday, November 5, 2007 and donate half of all receipts received that day to mesothelioma research. This event is in recognition of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, which is designated as November by the Lung Cancer Alliance. Ottavio was diagnosed with mesothelioma half a year ago and is just one of the approximately 3,000 Americans diagnosed each year.
Source: Eateries to donate to cancer research
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