Explore Business Standard
Radiotherapy doubles survival chances of mesothelioma cancer patients
New Delhi, Apr 30 (ANI): Researchers have claimed that mesothelioma patients are twice as likely to survive for two years when they are given a high dose of radiation to the affected side of the trunk. The study presented at the Estro 38 meeting looked at patients whose cancers could not be completely removed with surgery and the researchers say their findings have the potential to change treatment and outcomes for this group of patients. Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that grows in the layers of tissues surrounding the lungs. It is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. Patients typically only live for a year or two following diagnosis since treatment options are very limited. The study involved 108 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma who were treated at the National Cancer Institute of Aviano, Italy, between 2014 and 2018. All underwent surgery to remove some tumour tissue, followed by chemotherapy. Half were randomly assigned to receive radical hemi-t