Malignant mesothelioma, recognised as a new disease in the 1950s, is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure and usually diagnosed decades after first exposure. The disease was initially restricted to asbestos workers, but diagnoses after non-occupational exposure continue to surge. Despite the acknowledgment by WHO and the International … [Read more...]
A Case Report of Hypophosphatemia Leading to the Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
Hypophosphatemia can be commonly encountered as an electrolyte imbalance and is defined as a value less than 0.8 mmol/l (2.5 mg/dl). It can be an incidental finding, but it is not uncommon to see it presenting with varied symptoms. It is good to have a clear diagnostic approach to this so adequate treatment can be instated. We present a … [Read more...]
CDC: Mesothelioma Deaths Up Among Women
While use of asbestos has gone down in the U.S., deaths from mesothelioma still increased 25% among women over the last two decades, researchers found. From 1999 to 2020, mesothelioma deaths among women rose significantly from 489 to 614, though the age-adjusted death rate per 1 million women fell from 4.83 to 4.15, reported Jacek Mazurek, MD, … [Read more...]
Unexplained Pleural Effusion Leads to the Revelation of a Malignant Mesothelioma: A Case Report
Abstract: Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that usually affects subjects with prior asbestos exposure, a major risk factor that has been widely known as carcinogenic, and its use is now controlled if not banned in many areas of the world. Malignant mesothelioma originates from mesothelial surface cells covering the serous … [Read more...]
Pericardial Mesothelioma Presenting as Constrictive Pericarditis
Abstract: This case report presents a 60-year-old gentleman with a significant smoking history and possible asbestos exposure who was referred to the emergency department for atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular rate and symptoms of heart failure. Labs showed normal brain natriuretic peptide and troponin I. His echocardiography finding … [Read more...]
Abemaciclib for Previously Treated Patients With p16ink4A-Deficient Mesothelioma
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Dean A. Fennell, FRCP, and colleagues, a phase II trial (MiST2) showed the activity of [ Verzenio (abemaciclib) ] in previously treated patients with p16ink4A-deficient malignant mesothelioma. As stated by the investigators, “Genetically stratified therapy for malignant mesothelioma is unavailable. … [Read more...]
Early Clinical Activity With CDK4/6 Inhibitor in Pretreated Mesothelioma
[Verzenio (abemaciclib), a drug that has proven effective in breast cancer,] showed preliminary activity in its first-ever clinical trial in mesothelioma. The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor [Verzenio (abemaciclib)] achieved disease control at 12 weeks in 14 of 26 patients with progressive mesothelioma associated with a CDKN2A … [Read more...]
Incidence, treatment and survival of malignant pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma: a population-based study
Introduction: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer that primarily arises from the pleura (MPM) or peritoneum (MPeM), mostly due to asbestos exposure. This study reviewed the Dutch population-based incidence, treatment and survival since the national ban on asbestos in 1993. Materials and methods: Patients with MPM or MPeM … [Read more...]
Malignant pleural mesothelioma patients’ experience by gender: findings from a cross-sectional UK-national questionnaire
OBJECTIVES: Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive malignancy of mesothelial surfaces, most commonly those of the pleura. The aim of this study was to understand, using a national questionnaire, the gendered care experiences of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Patients were asked about their experience of the diagnostic process, … [Read more...]
Asbestos Exposure and Malignant Mesothelioma in Construction Workers—Epidemiological Remarks by the Italian National Mesothelioma Registry (ReNaM)
Notwithstanding the ban in 1992, asbestos exposure for workers in the construction sector in Italy remains a concern. The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics of malignant mesothelioma (MM) cases recorded by the Italian registry (ReNaM) among construction workers. Incident mesothelioma cases with a definite asbestos exposure … [Read more...]