December 16, 2013 – The mesothelioma lawyers at Shein Law in Philadelphia recently reviewed a new study in which researchers from Stanford University examined malignant pleural mesothelioma tumor recurrence rates after an initial surgery, and its affect on survival rates after undergoing a second surgery.
The study, published in the October issue of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, analyzed medical records from 1,142 patients diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. All of the patients had previously undergone one of two surgical procedures, either an extrapleural pneumonectomy or a pleurectomy and decortication surgery. Neither of these procedures are considered a cure, but are used as a means to slow the progression of this dreadful disease.
Researchers retrospectively analyzed the data from the patients who returned for follow-up examinations. Forty-seven patients, or 4.1 percent, were determined to have recurring cancer in the chest wall that could be removed with an additional surgery. The overall median time of recurrence for all the patients, regardless of which initial surgical procedure was performed, was 16.1 months.
The researchers then further divided the patients into two groups based on the type of malignant pleural mesothelioma, either epithelial mesothelioma or biphasic mesothelioma. After undergoing their second surgical procedure, specifically a chest wall resection of their recurring tumors, researchers compiled survival rates based on their initial time of recurrence.
For patients with epithelial mesothelioma, when their mesothelioma recurred in less than 12 months after the initial surgery, their overall survival duration was 8.9 months. When their tumor recurred between 12 to 24 months, the survival rate was 17.2 months. When the mesothelioma recurred at or after 24 months, the overall survival rate was 35.8 months.
As for patients with biphasic mesothelioma, disease recurrence after the first surgery at a length of time less than 10 months had a survival rate of 2.7 months after a second surgery in comparison to those that had a recurrence time of greater than or equal to 10 months, who showed survival duration of 15.9 months.
The researchers concluded that the length of time of mesothelioma tumor recurrence appears to be directly related to overall survival rates after undergoing an additional chest wall resection.
Shein Law in Philadelphia: Mesothelioma Lawyers Advocating for Victims Diagnosed with Asbestos-Related Diseases
If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma, lung cancer or any other asbestos-related disease, contact Shein Law. With offices located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we have successfully represented mesothelioma victims in the Philadelphia region for over 30 years. Call Shein Law today at 1-877-SHEINLAW (743-4652) to schedule a free consultation with our qualified Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers or fill out our online contact form. We will gladly meet with you at your convenience.