Early Detection of Mesothelioma Through New Radiography Approach

A recent announcement at Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization’s annual conference provided insight into a new method for diagnosing asbestos-related diseases. Michael Harbut, co-director of the National Center for Vermiculite and Asbestos-Related Cancers (NCVAC) at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Michigan, believes the new approach could make a significant impact on public health.

The NCVAC was established through the joint effort of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (COEM). Its main focus is to address the need for early diagnosis and aggressive treatment options for asbestos-related disease.

While COEM has expressed an interest in asbestos-related diseases for quite some time, the Karmanos Cancer Institute has been heavily involved in the basic research of various types of asbestos-related cancer.

According to Harbut, “Radiographic approaches developed by Carmen Endress, Associate Professor of Radiology at Wayne State University School of Medicine, allow us to visualize lesions caused by asbestos exposure in three dimensional detail and often at a much earlier stage than that of the current standard radiographic techniques.”

The new approach enhances images obtained from a 64-slice high resolution CT scan by using the Vitrea(R) imaging software program developed by Vital Images, Inc.

Benefits of the new approach include earlier detection, better differentiation between patients with scarring on the lungs and other illnesses, and increased success in the overall diagnosis and treatment of asbestos-related disease, including mesothelioma.

Currently, a mesothelioma diagnosis typically occurs after the disease has already reached the advanced stages of development. Following diagnosis, patients usually have limited treatment options and a poor prognosis.

Harbut said the identification of an asbestos-related disease at an early stage could play a significant role in reducing the death rate among those affected by asbestos exposure.

Dr. Endress added, “It’s my sincere hope that with this new approach and enhanced technology we will help reduce the death rate caused by asbestos-related diseases, reduce the suffering by patients and their loved ones, and make a significant contribution to medicine.”

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 12:33 pm and is filed under Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Treatment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.