New drug may help treat mesothelioma

Patients in Kentucky and throughout the country who have mesothelioma will usually undergo chemotherapy to help treat their condition. In some cases, doctors may decide that radiation therapy is more effective choice in treating the underlying condition and keeping symptoms to a minimum. This has become increasingly true as radiation treatments have become more precise and less likely to kill healthy cells. However, the problem with this type of therapy is that mesothelioma cancer cells have proteins that make them less sensitive to the radiation.

The goal of radiation treatment is to damage the DNA of a cancer cell to ensure that it can’t grow or spread throughout the body. A new drug seeks to block the Bcl-2 proteins that protect the mesothelioma cells. A study found that a candidate treatment was able to mimic the body’s natural ability to accomplish this goal. Although more research needs to be done, researchers may be closer to a comprehensive treatment plan that may provide better outcomes for patients.

Individuals who receive a cancer diagnosis after being exposed to asbestos or other toxic materials may be entitled to financial compensation from their employers. In many cases, the workers’ compensation system may help employees pay medical bills related to their mesothelioma treatment. Individuals may also be entitled to receive a portion of wages lost if they were unable to work because of their poor health.

In the event that a health condition was caused by an employer’s negligence, it may be possible to file a lawsuit. An attorney may use statements from management or other evidence to show that a company knew that it was exposing workers to hazardous conditions and did nothing about it. Generally, mesothelioma is caused by breathing in asbestos fibers over a long period of time.