Extrapleural pneumonectomy, a surgical procedure that removes mesothelioma cancer from the lining of the lung, has been reported to be an effective new mesothelioma treatment technique. The technique was developed by Dr. Sugarbaker, the co-leader of the Brigham Biomedical Research Institute's Cancer Research Center, Chief of the Institute's Division of Thoracic Surgery and a Professor of Oncologic Surgery at Harvard Medical School.

The surgical technique was applied on a mesothelioma patient who has now been alive for more than 5 years. The typical life expectancy after a mesothelioma diagnosis ranges from a few months to one year. The patient's lung scans show no recurrence of mesothelioma. Typically, mesothelioma reemerges in two or three years.

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It is most commonly found in the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) but can also develop in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). The disease has a long latency period. Patients can be living with the disease for 50 years before symptoms appear. Thus, by the time mesothelioma is diagnosed, it has spread significantly and many treatment options are not viable. Treatment options for the cancer are focused on relieving the symptoms and include: chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

People at highest risk of developing malignant mesothelioma are those who worked with asbestos-containing products. Some asbestos products are: roofing shingles, pipe insulation, gaskets, brake pads, cement and fireproofing spray on structural beams. Workers at risk of developing the cancer are mechanics, shipyard workers, boiler workers, construction workers and electricians.

This press release was prepared by the law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg. Weitz & Luxenberg is a law firm that specializes in providing legal services to those who have been diagnosed with asbestos cancers such as lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. Weitz & Luxenberg provides free information on jobs involving the risk of mesothelioma at www.mesotheliomajobs.com. For information on legal services provided by Weitz & Luxenberg mesothelioma attorneys, visit
www.weitzlux.com/mesothelioma-attorney_1932416.html

For more information on mesothelioma cancer, visit: www.yourmesotheliomaweb.com.

Weitz & Luxenberg
700 Broadway 3rd floor
New York, NY 10003

Media contact:
Jason Wentworth
hkader@weitzlux.com
1-800-438-9786 ext. 5645

This release was published on openPR.