On Saturday, May 18, mesothelioma experts will convene in Santa Monica, California for the 3rd Annual International Symposium on Lung-Sparing Therapies for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. The symposium will be led by Dr. Robert B. Cameron, M.D., Director of the UCLA Mesothelioma Comprehensive Research Program, Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and Scientific Advisor at Pacific Meso Center. For nearly 20 years, Dr. Cameron has been a leading supporter of lung-sparing pleurectomy/decortication surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Distinguished faculty and mesothelioma experts from across the globe will attend this year’s meeting, including representatives from UCLA, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, National Institutes of Health, and Centro di Riferimento Oncologico CRO-Avano in Italy. The symposium is open to mesothelioma patients, their families, and other interested parties, though the seminar is designed as continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.
Experts at the 1st and 2nd symposia concluded that when it comes to mesothelioma surgery, the preferred treatment is pleurectomy decortication (P/D), rather than extra-pleural pneumonectomy(EPP) surgery. While EPP surgery involves the removal of the affected lung as well as the coverings of the heart, diaphragm, and pericardium, the less radical P/D procedure removes only the pleura affected by mesothelioma.
“Once again, this symposium highlights the best research and thinking by bringing the preeminent scientific and medical minds from around the world that are advancing the treatment of mesothelioma,” said Dr. Cameron. “Research and practice over the past several years have continued to evolve working to improve cancer outcomes without unnecessarily sacrificing the affected lung. Clearly, it is best for the patient to treat mesothelioma as a chronic illness while preserving the function of both lungs,” he added.