> Surgery as Treatment Option for Lung Cancer - Risks of Lung Cancer Surgery, Questions to Ask your Doctor, Surgery Pictures
(October 9th, 2009)

> Researchers Seek Clinical Trial Patients for New Mesothelioma Drug: Gefitinib
(September 25th, 2009)

> Secondary Cancer in the Lymph Nodes - Role of Lymph Nodes in the Body & the Lymphatic System
(September 18th, 2009)

> Talcum Powder Slows Down Growth of Lung Cancer Tumors
(September 15th, 2009)

> Carbon Nanotubes that Look and Behave like Asbestos could cause Pleural Mesothelioma
(September 11th, 2009)

> Chest X-Rays Can Detect Early Lung Cancer, but also Alert many False-Positive Results
(September 7th, 2009)

> Peritoneal Mesothelioma – Cancer of the Peritoneum or Linings of the Abdomen - Symptoms of Peritoneal Lung Cancer, Role of Asbestos & Treatment Options
(August 31st, 2009)

> History and Advent of Cancer Treating Chemotherapy – Nitrogen Mustard as Anti-Cancer drug, Invention of Red Clover to treat Respiratory & Malignant Lung Cancers
(August 30th, 2009)

> Intra-peritoneal Therapy – Delivery of Chemotherapy Drugs in to Abdominal Cavity, Port and Catheter
(August 30th, 2009)

> Chemical Pleurodesis for Malignant Pleural Effusions or Fluids in Lungs
(August 26th, 2009)

> Evaluation of Pleural Thickening and its Effects on Development of Malignant Lung Cancer
(August 23rd, 2009)

> Chest X-Ray – Uses of Chest X-Rays, How to Prepare for X-Ray Session, Performance, Risks & Results, and Normal versus Abnormal Results
(August 15th, 2009)

> Multi-cystic Mesothelioma of the Peritoneum - Examinaton of the Pelvis, Abdominal Mass using Ultrasound, Process of Hysterectomy by a Gynecologist
(August 5th, 2009)

* > Mesothelioma Lung Cancer & Effects on Army, Navy & Marine Veterans - Asbestos Exposure in Battleships, Aircraft Carriers, Submarines and Navy Ships
(May 18th, 2009)

* Ruth Phillips - 10 Year Mesothelioma Survivor Living Large - Discussion of Immuno-Augmentive Therapy & Other Cancer Treatments
(May 5th, 2009)

* Prevention of Lung Cancer when You are at Risk, or when You Already Have Lung Cancer
(April 27th, 2009)

* Research Suggests Vitamin D Plays a Large Role in Preventing and Fighting Lung Cancer
(April 21st, 2009)

* What Types of Lung Cancer Exist? Differences between Small Cell & Non Small-Cell Lung Cancer
(April 15th, 2009)

* Steve Lee, 63, from Reading UK, Completes Half Marathon with Asbestos Lung Cancer
(April 8th, 2009)

* Basic & Advanced Symptoms of Mesothelioma & Common Misconceptions
(March 28th, 2009)

* Choosing Your Mesothelioma Doctor - Medical & Radiation Oncologists, Laparoscopic Surgeons
(February 4th, 2009)

* Study Suggests Computed Tomography (CT) Scans Increase Risk for Cancer Development - Mesothelioma News
(November 30th, 2008)

* Diagnosing Mesothelioma & Pathological Testing
(February 6th, 2009)

* Eat Fruits & Vegetables - Prevent Cancer and Stay Healthy
(January 12th, 2009)

* Gardening & Good Diet Leads to Less Lung Cancer Risk
(January 7th, 2008)

* PhotoDynamic Therapy - Types of Mesothelioma Treatments
(March 18th, 2008)

* Surviving Lung Cancer - Thoracic Surgeons Roll Out New Tumor Removal Procedure
(January 20th, 2009)

* Timing of Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment Options - Surgery, Chemotherapy & Radiation Therapy
(February 5th, 2008)

-> Mesothelioma is rarely developed by young people, and it has no relation with smoking, despite of rumours about this. Infact, Mesothelioma can take over 40 years to develop, before full diagnosis is realized!

-> There are about 200 - 500 cases of peritoneal mesothelioma each year, making it a very rare disease. Furthermore, peritoneal mesothelioma measures at about 20 - 30% of all mesothelioma cases in any given year. Approximately 54.7% of all the diagnoses are males and the rest are females. The median age when peritoneal mesothelioma develops is 65 - 69 years.

-> Fluid accumulated in the abdomen (also known as Ascites) is detected and removed through Paracentesis (a procedure that drains fluid from the abdomen of the body by the use of needles).

(View Archives)
 

Mesothelioma Clinical Trials - Basic Information, Trial Phases, Current Trials & Eligibility Criteria

* Basic Information
* Trial Phases
* Current Trials
* Eligibility

Clinical trials are constant studies and tests carried out to discover new and better treatments for mesothelioma cancer. New drugs and treatments are tested on participants who have to stay in the hospital throughout the whole study and will be monitored under the computer.

Each clinical trial conducted has its potential benefits and risks; therefore before you sign up to any clinical trial, be sure your health and body will not be negatively affected. Talk to your doctor about this.

Also before you sign up to any clinical trial, be sure you will be able to attend all the routine tests and studies that will be performed, and check your time commitments as well. Clinical trials are usually done in large cancer centers, so be sure you can commute to one with ease.

The advantage of participating in a mesothelioma clinical trial is that the tests will be performed at top-notch cancer centers with pioneering physicians who have proven abilities and skills and dominate the field of cancer research. Another advantage could be you will have access to the newly tested drug before it is brought out onto the market.

All mesothelioma clinical trials are divided into 3 phases:

Phase 1 - Phase 1 trials usually engage only a small number of people and test how to pioneer new drugs or procedures.

Phase 2 - Phase 2 trials make an early assumption whether the new procedures or drugs are working, as well as provide information about benefits/safety procedures.

Phase 3 - Phase 3 trials compare and contrast procedures and the new drugs with the old standardized drugs. A large sample of people receive the new treatment and surveys are conducted to determine if the new drug is ready to roll onto the market.

Medicare and Clinical Trials

If you are on Medicare plan and want to participate in a clinical trial, it is essential to know what costs will be covered under your Medicare policy and what costs will not be covered. Below, we will outline what costs are covered under your Medicare policy and what costs are not.

Cancer clinical trials are currently covered if:

i) The trial is funded by National Cancer Institute (NCI) or the NCI-designated Cancer centers.

ii) The goal of the clinical trial is to diagnose or treat cancer. However, note that if the goal of the clinical trial is to prevent cancer, it is NOT funded by the NCI.

Cancer clinical trial costs not covered under Medicare include:

- Costs for clinical trials that are only investigating new drugs
- Any equipment/merchandise provided by the clinical trial sponsor to the participants
- Coinsurance or deductibles

If you are unsure whether your cost will be covered under Medicare or not, it is best to call up Medicare's toll free # at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

 

 

 

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