Study Highlights Surgery Benefits of P/D over EPP for Mesothelioma

This study focused on 30-day mortality and postoperative complications. It included a meta-analysis of 39 previous studies from 1990 to 2017, along with the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database from 1995 to 2012. Study results included: 30 Day Mortality: EPP 5 percent; P/D 2 percent Postoperative Complications: EPP 46 percent; P/D 24 percent Postoperative Arrhythmias: EPP 20 percent; P/D 5 percent. Although there is no cure for pleural mesothelioma, aggressive surgery — with either the P/D or EPP — has been proven to extend survival times. According to a recent study published in Clinical Lung Cancer, the median overall survival for a patient with pleural mesothelioma (the epithelioid subtype) was 14.7 months without surgery, but 20.9 months with surgery. Some patients can live three, five or eight years and beyond. Another mesothelioma study listed the five-year survival rate at 15 percent for those having surgery, but less than 1 percent for those who did not. Although some cancer centers no longer perform EPP — believing it does more harm than good — there have been some incredible success stories. EPP Works Well for a Few Pleural mesothelioma survivor Sissy Hoffman in Savannah, Georgia, is thriving 22 years after having an EPP surgery. Tim Crisler still manages well in Kennesaw, Georgia, 16 years after his EPP surgery. Thoracic surgeon Dr. David Sugarbaker, who pioneered the EPP procedure, did the surgery for both patien...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: news