Archive for category Treatment
Mesothelioma claims the life of American Hero Merlin Olsen
Posted by Marcus@SokoloveLaw in Exposure, Legal, Mesothelioma, Treatment on March 12, 2010
Pro Football player turned actor Merlin Olsen died on Thursday March 11, at the age of 69.
He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer associated with asbestos exposure, in 2009 and had undergone chemotherapy treatment. He passed away at a medical facility outside of Los Angeles, California.
Last year, Olsen filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against NBC Universal, 20th Century Fox and other companies, claiming his cancer was from negligent exposure to asbestos according to The Washington Post.
Olsen starred at Utah State University before going on to play professional football for the Los Angeles Rams, winning numerous awards and never missing a game. He played in 14 consecutive Pro Bowls and was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1982. While playing for the Rams he earned a master’s degree in economics from Utah State.
After his playing career was over, Olsen made a seamless transition to television, spending 16 years as a broadcaster for NBC’s football coverage. His colleagues praised him for his attention to detail and intelligent and insightful commentary.
“He was so thoroughly prepared, he should have been a lawyer,” his longtime NBC broadcast partner Dick Enberg told the Los Angeles Times in 2006.
He then became a television actor. He was best known for his roles on the popular shows Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy.
Olsen is survived by his wife of 47 years, Susan Olsen, three children, three brothers, five sisters and four grandchildren.
Alternative vs Complementary Mesothelioma Treatments
Posted by Mellissa@SokoloveLaw in Mesothelioma, Treatment on October 9, 2009
There can be some confusion when discussing alternative and complementary treatment options for mesothelioma and other serious illnesses. While I can’t give you medical advice, I can give you information and things to consider when exploring these types of treatment options. Please always consult your doctor before trying any alternative or complementary treatments to avoid potential problems.
Some basic information:
Alternative Medicine
- Typically used in place of conventional medicine
- Often these methods are unproven
- Can be invasive
- Are potentially harmful (safety and effectiveness have not been studied)
- Examples include megavitamins, herbs, and homeopathic teas
Complementary Medicine
- Typically used together with conventional medicine
- May be helpful in supporting the patient during treatment
- Can decrease patients side effects and discomfort while undergoing treatment
- Have data to support their effectiveness
- Examples include Tai Chi, massage, mind-body techniques, and counseling
As more patients are looking into alternative and complementary therapy, medical providers have asked for increased research in these areas. Some sources say up to 50% of patients explore or participate in these types of therapies. As medical providers learn more they are incorporating these methods into their practices. Integrative medicine – combining complementary treatments with conventional care is being more common as these therapies prove to be effective.
More information can be found at the Mayo Clinic – Complementary and alternative medicine: What is it?
Chemoimmunotherapy: A New Strategy for the Mesothelioma Treatment
Posted by Sherry@SokoloveLaw in Mesothelioma, Research, Treatment on October 3, 2009
Whether or not the immune system can recognize malignant (cancerous) and pre-malignant cells and eliminate them to prevent the development of cancer is currently under investigation within the medical community and the evidence is favoring the concept.
According to a 2009, study conducted by investigators McCoy, et al. and published in Tissue Antigens, chemoimmunotherapy has become the most recent strategy for the treatment of cancerous mesothelioma. Chemoimmunotherapy is a treatment strategy that combines chemotherapy, which uses different drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells with immunotherapy, which uses treatments to restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer.
This recent study has revealed the fact that a cancer such as mesothelioma has been found to effectively interact with the immune system and this makes it a good candidate for immunotherapy. Several immunotherapies have been investigated to date and the investigators have determined that immunotherapy should be combined with conventional chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy as a treatment method that is proving itself, although modestly, to be effective.
The investigators are gearing up to begin a Phase I clinical trial using immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as it is becomes more and more clear that careful drug selection, dosing and scheduling will be significant when designing a chemoimmunotherapy for mesothelioma.
Increased Survival in Lung Cancer Patients
Posted by Mellissa@SokoloveLaw in Research, Treatment on September 24, 2009
The Lancet published a study on Monday showing a increased survival rate for patients with lung cancer. The study revealed patients suffering from nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who were treated with Alimta and best supportive care on the average had over five months increased survival than patients who received the placebo plus best supportive care after the received initial chemotherapy.
This study is important because it suggests maintenance therapy as a regular practice and highlights the important of histology in choosing treatment options for nonsquamous NSCLC patients. Maintenance therapy is used with other types of cancer, but is not standard practice for non-small cell lung cancer. Histologies refer to the various tumor types which fall under the NSCLC category.
Read the about the study: Significant Survival Benefit for Patients Facing Deadly Form of Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma Diagnosis and Treatment
Posted by Mellissa@SokoloveLaw in Mesothelioma, Treatment on August 9, 2009
A commonly heard story from my clients is when they were first diagnosed with mesothelioma and their provider gave them a poor prognosis. Some of my clients have been misdiagnosed or delayed in diagnosis because their providers were unfamiliar with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Because mesothelioma is a rare cancer local medical providers may be unfamiliar with current diagnosis and treatment standards. Clients diagnosed with mesothelioma are strongly encouraged to consult with a doctor and a treatment facility that has experience with this disease.
There are a small number of doctors and treatment facilities across the US that specialize in mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases. My clients often tell a whole different story after they have met and been treated by an MD who has experience treating this rare disease.
Anne Tsao, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Thoracic Head and Neck Medical Oncology at M.D. Anderson, talks about her experience with mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment in this interview with Cancer Newsline.
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