In this episode, we are joined by two patients who recently received a mesothelioma diagnosis. They discuss their initial shock to hear the word "mesothelioma" and their subsequent efforts to find specialists experienced in treating their cancer.

Session presented by Hedy Kindler, MD, University of Chicago bout currently available systemic therapies for mesothelioma including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, VEGF inhibitors, precision medicine and targeted therapies.

An active father describes his journey after a life-changing day when doctors tell him he has peritoneal mesothelioma. Learn more about treatment at mdmercy.com.

Surgical Treatment Options for Pleural Mesothelioma, presented by Joseph Friedberg, MD, Temple University

In August of 2015, Mr. Johnny Commander was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer related to asbestosis exposure, after seeing his doctor for chest pain. In seeking treatment, he had received very little help after seeing multiple cancer specialists near his hometown and was told his outlook was not good. He and his wife decided to do their own research and decided they needed to go to Houston Texas to visit the Mesothelioma Treatment Center. While at the Mesothelioma Treatment Center Mr. Commander had consultation with Dr. Sugarbaker and the initial plan was to undergo surgical treatment. Unfortunately, Mr. Commander would need more than just surgical treatments. Following his surgery, Dr. Sugarbaker and Dr. Jun Zhang developed a treatment plan utilizing an experimental drug to control Mr. Commander’s mesothelioma. After starting this treatment approximately a year ago, Mr. Commander’s tumor has shrink to nearly half its size and he is feeling better than ever.

Paul Baas, MD, PhD, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, discusses the benefits of immunotherapy as the standard of care in mesothelioma, especially in non-epithelioid mesothelioma. Despite chemotherapy having slight optimal survival rates 4-6 months after treatment, immunotherapy can have greater benefit in certain patients based on immunological status and tumor size. Prof. Baas additionally highlights the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) with immunotherapy, and how further research is needed in developing therapies for epithelioid mesothelioma. This interview took place at the 20th Annual British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG) Conference 2022.