Targeting Certain Lymph Nodes Could Change Mesothelioma Treatment

Thoracic surgeon Dr. Joseph Friedberg at the University of Maryland School of Medicine has identified previously underutilized lymph nodes that could change the way pleural mesothelioma is diagnosed, staged and treated. Friedberg is the head of the Division of Thoracic surgery at Maryland and director of the Mesothelioma and Thoracic Oncology Treatment and Research Center. The findings are based upon the posterior intercostal lymph nodes — a part of the lymphatic system between the ribs near the spine — in 56 mesothelioma patients who were part of a recent clinical trial. Friedberg detailed the groundbreaking findings earlier this year at the Society of Thoracic Surgeons annual meeting in San Diego. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery is expected to publish the study results soon. “These have turned out to be incredibly important lymph nodes,” Friedberg told The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. “This could turn out to be very significant.” Prognosis Could Change Significantly Mediastinal lymph nodes often are used today for staging and treatment decisions with pleural mesothelioma, but the recent identification and use of intercostal lymph nodes was a first with any solid tumor. “These lymph nodes look to be potentially as important — if not more important — than any other lymph nodes we take out for mesothelioma,” Friedberg said. “We discovered them almost by accident, but now realize just how important they are. They could make a [patient’s] prognos...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: news