New Lung Cancer Research Taking Place
Mesothelioma is often considered to be the most devastating of the asbestos-related diseases as, unfortunately, there is currently no cure to this type of lung cancer. That being said, there are treatments available which can help to manage the disease and improve your quality of life. Up until now, treatment options have focused on alleviating symptoms and extending life expectancy, but there is continual lung cancer research taking place which may change this.
Numerous different clinical trials are evaluating new approaches to early detection and advanced treatments including; surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and vaccine therapy, all of which have the potential to be beneficial to patients at all stages of mesothelioma cancer. If you’re intrigued to learn more about the latest findings from lung cancer research, keep reading today.
Diagnosis
It goes without saying that for all types of cancers, the earlier you detect it the better the outlook will be. Unfortunately, a large percentage of mesothelioma patients don’t receive a diagnosis until the disease has reached advanced stages which can make treatment more difficult. So, to help early detection, experts have been researching into:
Biomarkers
Simply put, the term ‘biomarker’ refers to molecule changes in the body that are indicative of the presence of cancer. These biomarkers play a vital role in assisting physicians to diagnose lung cancer early, but they can also assist throughout mesothelioma treatment plans too. They can be used to see how well the body responds to a specific treatment and help to inform future treatment decisions.
The latest advancements relating to biomarkers will help catch different types of lung cancer when tumours may not yet be visible on X-rays or MRIs. Using biomarkers experts can have a precision-driven approach to treatment, so not only will they be able to diagnose during the early stage of mesothelioma cancer, but they can then use a patient’s specific biomarkers to develop a more effective treatment plan.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used across a vast range of industry sectors and this continually advancing technology is incredibly beneficial for cancer patients. AI is changing the future of diagnosis and cancer imaging is now advanced enough to detect early-stage mesothelioma cancer, as well as other types of cancer.
Without going into too much detail, AI and advanced computer programs can highlight tumours on imaging scans and alert radiologists to possible disease areas. This technology accurately differentiates between healthy and cancerous tissue, and due to its exceptional attention to detail, it can notice things that are virtually invisible to the human eye.
Treatments
Once diagnosed, mesothelioma treatments are responsible for controlling symptoms, improving quality of life, reducing the spread of the cancer and prolonging life. For this reason, it is no surprise that a lot of time and effort goes into exploring new treatment options. Some of the latest treatment research includes:
Robotic surgery methods
For decades now, surgeons have been using minimally-invasive surgeries whenever possible and there are several benefits to doing so. However, within the last few years, advanced robotic surgery methods have emerged and they are considered more effective than traditional surgical procedures. Robotic technology is now smaller and more efficient, enabling surgeons to perform complex procedures with fewer smaller incisions.
Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma cancer and robotic surgery methods tend to have fewer complications which result in shorter hospital stays and faster healing times enabling patients to return to their everyday lives much quicker. It is thought that over time with more research, robotic surgery can make a huge difference to mesothelioma patients.
Immunotherapy
As the name suggests, immunotherapy stimulates the immune system to fight against cancerous cells in a similar way to how the body fights infection. Immunotherapy will help the body to attack the cancer without damaging any healthy cells and whilst it isn’t yet a part of the standard cancer treatment, research is getting closer to making it a reality.
Recent advancements in immunotherapy have resulted in new medications that can prevent disabling the immune system and/or missing hidden cancer cells. This treatment option has fewer side effects than other frequently used treatments such as chemotherapy and researchers are continually working on immunotherapy with the hope that eventually it will help cure more people with early-stage mesothelioma cancer.
Speaking to a mesothelioma cancer lawyer
Whether you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma lung cancer, if you’re interested in making a mesothelioma claim, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at Asbestos Compensation today. Our specialist team of mesothelioma cancer lawyers will gladly assist you further in this regard and they will happily travel to you to discuss your case and entitlements. Unlike others who may assist you should you want to take legal action, our service is completely free of charge from start to finish and you will keep 100% of the compensation awarded. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to our team today.
