Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that attacks the lining of someone’s organs before spreading to other body parts. Oftentimes, mesothelioma develops decades after someone worked with asbestos or otherwise ended up exposed to this dangerous mineral substance.
Although it takes many years to make someone sick, mesothelioma often becomes very severe within a few years of becoming symptomatic. People often report debilitating symptoms after their diagnosis of mesothelioma and frequently die within a few years of their diagnosis.
Although there is no known cure for mesothelioma, researchers have absolutely made noteworthy strides in its management and treatment in recent years. For example, a pharmaceutical company recently announced promising results from a clinical trial.
Chemotherapy and Keytruda could improve a patient’s prognosis
Stabilizing mesothelioma so that it does not continue to spread has proven a nearly insurmountable challenge for medical professionals. Despite their best efforts, it remains prohibitively difficult to stop the spread of mesothelioma inside a patient’s body.
This is one of the reasons why it has been so difficult for researchers to help patients achieve remission after a mesothelioma diagnosis. While there is still no outright cure, there are signs of promising medical advances. Researchers from Merck recently published results from a clinical trial that combined chemotherapy with pembrolizumab, sold under the brand name Keytruda.
The results of this study align with earlier research into the medication combined with chemotherapy. Specifically, researchers found that it had a statistically relevant impact on a patient’s cancer progression. It may slow or even end the spread of mesothelioma in some patients. Additional studies are underway, and researchers in other countries have also been combining several kinds of treatment as a means of fighting this challenging cancer.
Paying for mesothelioma care is hard
Given that the treatments that show the most promise for mesothelioma are still experimental, patients often have to waive their right to sue and also provide at least some private financial support for their care.
Those who have been sickened due to asbestos exposure at work may benefit from pursuing a claim because any compensation they receive could help them secure better treatment. Learning about advances in mesothelioma care might motivate someone recently diagnosed to seek compensation for their prior workplace asbestos exposure with the assistance of a seasoned legal professional.