Researchers have developed a pathology-based grading system that could result in significant changes in the survival rate for a subset of peritoneal mesothelioma patients. By using a two-tiered grading system, physicians can provide a more accurate prognosis and tailor treatment methods to improve outcomes for certain patients. Researchers are hopeful that this system will help give patients a sense of what to expect from the disease, as well as open new treatment options for those with the worst prognosis.
Many are familiar with cancer stages which track how far the disease has progressed. While cancer staging involves measuring the size or extent of the tumor, cancer grading analyzes the cells of the tumor to predict how quickly it will grow. The higher the grade, the faster the tumor is expected to grow. By classifying cancer patients as low-grade or high-grade, physicians can better understand the nature of the cancer and adjust treatment methods accordingly.
Low-Grade Patients Exhibited Significantly Longer Survival Rates than High-Grade
Researchers examined data from 46 patients diagnosed with epithelioid peritoneal mesothelioma, the most common type of peritoneal mesothelioma. All the patients were treated with cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), which is the current standard of care for peritoneal mesothelioma. Based on various characteristics found in their tumors, the patients were classified as either low-grade or high-grade, with markedly different results. Patients in the low-grade tier showed an overall median survival of 11.9 years and a five-year survival rate of 57 percent; those in the high-grade tier had a median survival rate of 3.3 years and a 35 percent five-year survival rate. In addition, the low-grade patients had a median progression-free survival of 4.7 years and a 65 percent five-year survival rate. Patients in the high-grade tier had a median progression-free survival of 1.9 years and a 35 percent five-year survival rate.
This grading system, which had previously only been used for the more common pleural mesothelioma, has shown to be predictive of patient success in peritoneal mesothelioma cases. While therapeutic advancements have a bit of catching up to do, researchers are hopeful that this will be a useful tool in peritoneal mesothelioma prognosis and treatment. Mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure, currently has no cure and often leaves patients with a short life expectancy.
South Jersey Mesothelioma Lawyers at Shein Law Advocate for Mesothelioma Victims
If you or a loved one is suffering from mesothelioma, lung cancer or any other asbestos-related disease, call the Philadelphia mesothelioma and lung cancer lawyers at Shein Law. Our knowledgeable, experienced lawyers will thoroughly review the facts of your case and prepare a sound legal strategy to win you the compensation you deserve for your illness. With offices conveniently located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey we help mesothelioma victims throughout Pennsylvania and South Jersey. Call us today at 1-877-SHEINLAW (743-4652) or contact us online to review your case with us.