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Mesothelioma: A Patient’s Road Map
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The Argument Against Chemotherapy as a Stand-Alone Treatment for Mesothelioma
In this article, Dr. Cameron expresses his opinion regarding the appropriate role of Alimta/cisplatin chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
In 2004, the FDA approved pemetrexed (Alimta®) in combination with cisplatin for the treatment of pleural mesothelioma. To this day, Alimta/cisplatin remains the only FDA approved chemotherapy drug combination for the treatment of mesothelioma.
The Resulting Hype
Following the FDA’s approval, the manufacturer conducted an aggressive marketing campaign of Alimta/cisplatin to general oncologists. This has resulted in the broad acceptance of this chemotherapeutic regimen as the de factostandard of care by general oncologists. Read More ⇒
Dr. Cameron Comments on the U.K. Mesothelioma and Radical Surgery Trial (MARS)
| Robert Cameron, MD |
LOS ANGELES. This well-designed seminal study from Tom Treasure and his colleagues in England, while small, provides compelling and incontrovertible evidence that supports our long-held position at the Pacific Meso Center that the use of radical lung-removing surgery, ie., EPP, is completely unsupported by medical data.
Tom Treasure compares the EPP to the barbaric and now nearly extinct practice of radical mastectomy for breast cancer. We have been using the same analogy for years to drive the point home that surgery, if any, ought to be targeted and rational. This most recent trial is even more proof that no one suffering from the ravages of mesothelioma should be subjected to the further indignation of a radical, debilitating and useless operation based on “selected” data. Read More ⇒
Dr. Robert Cameron on Treating Mesothelioma - Novel Multi-Modal Approach
“Remove the Tumor, Save the Lung and Treat Meso as a Chronic Illness”
Dr. Robert Cameron is a cardiothoracic surgeon and surgical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. He is the director of the mesothelioma program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the chief of thoracic surgery at the West Los Angeles Veterans’ Administration Medical Center.
Dr. Cameron has been treating mesothelioma patients for over 20 years. He is the innovator of the lung-sparing Pleurectomy/Decortication surgical procedure for mesothelioma and has performed the procedure on over 300 patients to date. He has also published many articles and is a frequent lecturer on the surgical and multi-modal management of pleural mesothelioma. Read More ⇒
Improved Survival with Interferon Alpha Maintenance Therapy Following Pleurectomy-Decortication and Radiation for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
(As presented by Dr. Robert Cameron to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, January 30, 2006. )
In this presentation, Dr. Cameron demonstrates that “maintenance therapy” such as interferon alpha may have a role in treating mesothelioma patients. The median survival of patients receiving interferon alpha after undergoing pleurectomy with decortication followed by surgery was 37 months.
View the publication abstract and the accompanying slides to see all of the research results by selecting any of the following:
Dr. Robert Cameron on Treating Mesothelioma – Lung-Saving P/D vs. Radical EPP -
There are two surgical procedures which are used in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma: the Extrapleural Pneumonectomy and the Pleurectomy/Decortication.
The Extrapleural Pneumonectomy, or “EPP”, is a radical procedure which involves the surgical removal of the entire lung, a portion of the diaphragm (the muscle located below the lung) and the pericardium (the lining of the heart). Because of the radical nature of this procedure, and the fact that the patient will be left post-operatively with only one lung, it can only be performed on patients who meet certain criteria such as good cardiac and pulmonary functioning.
The Pleurectomy/Decortication, or “P/D”, is a less radical procedure because it involves the surgical removal of the tumor and the pleura, but not the lung. The procedure typically takes much longer to perform as the surgeon carefully separates the tumor from the lung and repairs any damage to the diaphragm so that the patient will continue to enjoy the use of the affected lung. Because it is less radical than the EPP, the P/D has a much lower rate of surgical mortality and can be performed on patients who would not be eligible for EPP.
Despite the benefits of P/D vs. EPP, EPP has been the most frequently used surgery for mesothelioma. As more information has been published regarding reduced surgical mortality, enhanced post-surgery quality of life and comparable if not better survival with P/D, more and more surgeons are recommending P/D over EPP.
Dr. Robert Cameron was the innovator of the lung-saving P/D procedure for mesothelioma and has performed the procedure on hundreds of patients to date. Below, Dr. Cameron shares his opinions regarding P/D vs. EPP. Read More ⇒
PMC Laboratory Solely Dedicated to Researching Malignant
Wow! What a terrific year we have had at The Pacific Meso Center (PMC) at The Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (PHLBI). Thanks to the support of our friends and families, including generous contributions from The Asbestos Legal Center in San Francisco and Roger G. Worthington P.C., we are pleased to report that our new laboratory at 10780 Santa Monica Boulevard has opened.
| The Pacific Meso Center Mesothelioma Research Laboratory |
Pictured from left to right: Marko Kostic, MSc, Clare Cameron ED, Saroj Basak, PhD., Dongmei Hou, PhD, Anne Rorie NP, Dr. Robert B. Cameron
This has been a year of significant strides in our mission of establishing a research facility to improve mesothelioma victims’ lives and longevity. As the equipment begins to be installed in our laboratory, and our researchers get geared up to start work on several important and exciting projects, we feel very confident in building this foundation to make some significant breakthroughs in fighting malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), an asbestos related cancer.
The Pacific Meso Center’s research activities are currently supporting research being performed by Robert B. Cameron M.D, Dongmei Hou, PhD, Warren Grundfest, MD and collaborators, Saroj Basak, PhD, Sherven Sharma, PhD and Robert Strieter MD. In addition to these scientists there is also an active international group of collaborators who share in the vision of PMC, an open collaborative effort both in basic and translational science, to bring the best therapeutics to the benefits of our patients. Read More ⇒
2010 Tour Des Chutes Cancer Bike Ride
| A Beautiful Day for a Beautiful Cause |
| Roger Worthington with Michael McDaniel. Michael was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 15. Five years later he remains determined with a smile for everyone he meets. |
Bend, Oregon. Under blue skies on a bright sunshiny day seemingly within a stone’s throw of the snow capped Cascade Mountains, thousands of cancer survivors, caregivers and supporters gathered to celebrate the 6th Annual 2010 Tour Des Chutes. For the third year, The Punch Worthington Lab proudly sponsored the fundraiser and fun ride to support efforts in Central Oregon to help cancer patients survive and thrive.
What a fantastic day!,” beamed Roger Worthington, who emceed the festivities. “We had live music, scrumptious chow, inspiring guest speakers, free schwag, ice cream and some of the most courageous people on Earth, all united in the mission to raise money and hope for cancer survivors.”
With ride distances ranging from 7 to 100 miles, the Tour Des Chutes attracted over 1,000 riders, from ages between 5 years and 91 years old. The event, which is the brainchild of cancer survivor and local celebrity Gary Bonacker, raised over $80,000. All proceeds will be donated to the St. Charles Medical Center’s Cancer Survivorship Program and the Livestrong Foundation.
Punch would have been happy, “ mused Worthington, whose father Punch Worthington , a long-time Salem, Oregon resident, survived over 3 years beyond his original lung cancer diagnosis.
Punch showed me that the greatest legacy a cancer patient can leave is his quest to live another day. He exemplified the adage about having the tranquility to accept the things he couldn’t change, the courage to change the things he could, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
For more information about the Tour Des Chutes, including how you or a loved one can participate in the survivorship program, please click here. https://tourdeschutes.org/
In only six short years, the Tour Des Chutes has spawned many novel programs designed to help cancer patients and their caregivers thrive. This year, director Dr. Archie Bleyer, announced the Soaring Spirits Camp, which will target children of cancer patients to spend a weekend in mid August swimming, kayaking, hiking, planting trees, birdwatching, and writing poetry at Suttle Lake near Sisters, Oregon. For more information, click on https://www.defeatcancer.info/Soaring/Soaring.html
The “Punch” Worthington Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratory
| Roger Worthington, Dr. Gerald Levey, the Dean of theUCLA Medical School, David “Punch” Worthington and Dr. Robert Cameron, Chief of Thoracic Surgery |
On May 27, 2005, the Punch Worthington Research Laboratory was dedicated at the UCLA Medical School in Los Angles, California.
* * * *
The David “Punch” Worthington Laboratory is located at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. The Laboratory was made possible by a generous initial donation and continuing support from Roger G. Worthington.
The Punch Worthington Lab is the home of exciting new research on novel strategies for the treatment of mesothelioma, lung cancer, leukemia, and other occupational cancers. Roger Worthington is proud to help launch this vital research effort in honor of his father, Punch Worthington, Ph.D., who has asbestosis and lung cancer. Punch obtained a Ph.D. in Genetics but left a promising career in academia to pursue his true love: labor union organizing and advocacy.
May 28, 2005
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Testimonials
David Vanderhyde was diagnosed with pleural malignant mesothelioma (epithelial type – epithelium are tissue membranes that line the internal organs), in October 2006, and was instructed by his oncologist to begin chemotherapy right away. A month later, he began the standard regimen of Alimta with Cisplatin, however, his oncologist included a non-standard targeted therapy drug as well called Avastin (Bevacizumab), which is not a chemotherapy drug but rather an anti-angiogenesis therapy.David Vanderhyde
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Vietnam veteran Nick Perrone, 65, was just beginning an active retirement after many years as a salesman and working at Disneyland until September 21, 2011. “I was retired, having a good time then all of a sudden, while working out at the gym, I can’t breathe,” he explains. “What a shock. And scary,” he goes on.Full Story
It’s a beautiful day in San Clemente. The kind of day that might usually be spent fishing with the grandkids off his boat in Dana Point Harbor, but for retired Judge Jacob Jager, those boating days are on hold as he finishes his post-operative radiation treatments. While the Judge enjoys the view surrounded by his gracious family, wife Norma, daughter Tammy, and grandsons Ashton and Hunter, he continues to wage a determined battle against malignant pleural mesotheliomaJacob Jager
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