Australian Researchers Pioneering New Mesothelioma Treatment Using Radiotherapy

Australian researchers have innovated a new mesothelioma treatment using radiotherapy rather than chemotherapy, and the results are looking good.

Radiation Oncologist Dr. Malcolm Feigen has developed a new technique for treating mesothelioma, a terminal cancer caused by asbestos exposure. This breakthrough technique is called radiotherapy.

So far researchers have found that there is a staggering improvement in the patients using radiotherapy than those treated only by chemotherapy. Dr. Feigen reports that there have been no major side effects but some patients are having long-term benefits.

Chemotherapy treatment can only do so much. Usually patients experience short-term benefits. However, often the cancer keeps coming back. Yet the new radiotherapy is proving fight tumors and keep them from returning.

Dr. Feigen says, “…with radiotherapy it doesn’t come back in the same area and if we find patients early enough we may be able to stop any further developments of their disease.” Dr. Feigen says that on average the treatment has given patients two more years of life. For those diagnosed with mesothelioma and others who have been exposed to asbestos, this is great news.

For a more on this encouraging development, see the article, Breakthrough in fight against mesothelioma, over at ABC News (Australia Broadcasting Corporation).