Mesothelioma Clinical Trials

Clinical trials for mesothelioma patients primarily focus on pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, the two most common forms of the cancer. Because a definitive cure has not been established, these clinical trials typically evaluate experimental treatment methods involving chemotherapy drugs, surgery techniques and other emergent procedures. Overall, mesothelioma clinical trials offer a way to test up-and-coming treatments and medications that have not yet been approved for safe and effective use. 

Mesothelioma patients often elect to participate in clinical trials to take advantage of cutting-edge treatments such as immunotherapy or gene therapy. Participating in clinical trials does come with some element of risk depending upon the structure of the trial. Discussing this option with your doctor is important to understand all the risks and potential benefits of participating in a clinical trial.

Clinical Trial Phases

Three primary phases help to classify the stages of clinical trials. These separate phases determine when a particular treatment is tested for safety, effectiveness and whether or not it is better than a current approach. 

Phase I

Recurring Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma recurrence is almost impossible to avoid, even after the most aggressive surgery, after a multimodality approach to treatment and after adjuvant follow-up therapy. The recurrence of mesothelioma cancer is likely because of the unique characteristics of this disease, which can spread through the lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen.

The location of tumors so close to organs makes it difficult for doctors to eliminate it completely, even with the most advanced medical technology. The key – and the hope – is to delay the eventual recurrence, keeping it under control for as long as possible.

What is cancer recurrence?

Mesothelioma Life Span

Although the disease of mesothelioma ultimately will cause the death of anyone diagnosed with this virulent form of cancer, there is no way to determine uniformly the life span of a mesothelioma patient.
The primary reason for this is simple: The process of mesothelioma begins when someone first inhales or ingests asbestos fibers, and it's not always clear when that exposure occurred. That exposure, when combined with repeated incidents, as happens during many on-the-job exposures, set the stage for a disease that doctors have yet figured out how to cure.

Determining Life Span

Mesothelioma Death Rate

Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. Because the cancer is rare, many patients and their loved ones are not sure what the cancer is and what exactly a mesothelioma diagnosis entails. Questions about prognosis and the mesothelioma death rate often surface.

The disease's death rate and how a patient can increase life expectancy are among the many topics covered in the Mesothelioma Center's free informational packet. The comprehensive guide delivers a number of resources at your door about mesothelioma and how to battle the disease.

Mesothelioma Mortality Rate