Study Highlights Value of Functional Imaging for Tracking Mesothelioma Treatment Response, According to Surviving Mesothelioma
Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) October 16, 2015 -- Doctors studying ways to measure the response of mesothelioma to treatment say functional imaging tests like PET and diffusion-weighted MRI may offer some advantages over standard techniques. Surviving Mesothelioma has just posted an article on the new research. Click here to read it now.
Scientists with the UK’s Institute of Cancer Research say the unusual shape of mesothelioma tumors can make it difficult to monitor how they’re responding to treatment. Functional imaging tests monitor more than just shape and size, but also cellular processes.
“By quantifying how these measurements change with [mesothelioma] treatment, it is possible to observe treatment effects,” says writes study author Dr. Lin Cheng in the journal Lung Cancer.
Mesothelioma tumors typically spread out over the pleural or peritoneal membrane instead of forming a ball like other types of solid tumors. This can make it challenging both to treat and monitor mesothelioma.
“Accurate evaluation of response to treatment is especially vital with mesothelioma because it is so aggressive,” says Alex Strauss, Managing Editor for Surviving Mesothelioma. “If a given treatment is not working, it is important to know early in case a course correction is warranted.”
To read more about 18 FDG-PET and other types of functional imaging tests used to diagnose and monitor mesothelioma, see Best Tools for Measuring Mesothelioma Treatment Response, now available on the Surviving Mesothelioma website.
Cheng, L et al, “Response evaluation in mesothelioma: Beyond RECIST”, August 22, 2015, Lung Cancer, Epub ahead of print, http://www.lungcancerjournal.info/article/S0169-5002(15)30036-2/abstract
For nearly ten years, Surviving Mesothelioma has brought readers the most important and ground-breaking news on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of mesothelioma. All Surviving Mesothelioma news is gathered and reported directly from the peer-reviewed medical literature. Written for patients and their loved ones, Surviving Mesothelioma news helps families make more informed decisions.
Michael Ellis, Cancer Monthy, http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com, +1 (919) 570-8595, [email protected]
Share this article