Time Is of the Essence
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma are often told that the expected survival time is less than a year. Some surgical options, however, are reporting better statistics for selected patients. Hawai‘i patients who meet certain criteria may be treated locally, or may travel to certain cancer centers on the mainland. Most require that patients be in the early stages of the disease. Accordingly, patients should not delay in investigating treatment options.
All of the treatments that are currently available can help to relieve a patient’s symptoms and prolong their life. Tragically, however, the existing therapies cannot cure mesothelioma. The median life expectancy of a mesothelioma patient is less than two years, in part because many patients are not diagnosed until the disease has already advanced to a late stage. However, you should not lose hope simply because the statistics are discouraging. Remember that each patient is different. Some people respond very well to the existing treatments, and may live many years after their mesothelioma diagnosis. A patient’s prognosis depends on a variety of factors.
Groundbreaking Mesothelioma Research Here in Hawai‘i
Most importantly, there is now more research on mesothelioma than ever before, and much of it is going on at the Cancer Research Center of Hawai (CRCH) right here in Honolulu. There are currently over 100 mesothelioma clinical trials underway to test new treatments.
Mesothelioma researchers like Giovanni Gaudino at the Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i are helping to develop the scientific understanding of this terrible cancer. Their efforts will improve the prognosis for Hawai‘i’s mesothelioma patients.
If you qualify, a clinical trial may be the best treatment option available. These clinical trials offer some of the most up-to-date therapies available, with the highest possible standard of care. In addition, the research conducted in these trials will lead to improved treatment for all mesothelioma patients and may someday lead to a cure. It is important to learn as much as you can about the newest treatments and latest clinical trials. With a little research, you can be your own advocate and help your medical team develop a treatment plan that makes sense for you or your loved one. We also urge you to discuss clinical trials with your doctor.