Medical Specialists and Clinical Trials
Mesothelioma Medical Specialists
Information provided by the nonprofit Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
Help Finding a Mesothelioma Medical Specialist
Due to the rarity and complexity of mesothelioma, it is essential that patients seek care from experts familiar with the disease and state-of-the-art treatments. The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s medical liaison can assist you in locating the best mesothelioma specialist to meet your particular needs.
We can also provide you with referrals for mesothelioma clinical trials and standard therapies.
Please contact:
Mary Hesdorffer, Nurse Practitioner
Medical Liaison
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
Phone: (877) 363-6376
Email: [email protected]
Do you have specific questions or concerns about available mesothelioma treatments, including details on finding specialized mesothelioma help? The Mesothelioma Foundation is here to offer support guidance and help. Talk to a mesothelioma specialist for the latest in treatments and clinical trials.
Call Mary Hesdorffer at 877-End-Meso or 877-363-6376.
Mesothelioma Clinical Trials
Participating in a clinical trial for mesothelioma gives you a chance to participate at the cutting edge of medicine and gain access to novel therapies, new chemical weapons, and advanced techniques not yet available to everyone. Overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these clinical trials are a critical part of evaluating new mesothelioma and asbestos cancer treatments. As scientists and doctors look to improve cancer care and search for a cure, participants in these trials are not only receiving access to cutting edge drugs and treatment options, they are also making a valuable contribution to science.
Find a Clinical Trial for You
The Meso Foundation just released the first-ever booklet on clinical trials, specific to mesothelioma. Request a print copy by contacting the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s nurse practitioner:
Mary Hesdorffer, Nurse Practitioner (703) 879-3820 Email: [email protected]
Information for Mesothelioma Clinical Trial Patients
- Finding New Treatments for Mesothelioma: The development of new treatments for mesothelioma is a complicated, expensive, and time consuming process. This is made even more so by the risks inherent in trying “unproven” treatments. Mesothelioma clinical trials are not the beginning of the research process, but are often the last steps before a drug, procedure, or tool can be released to the medical community as safe to use. While the Meso Foundation can be your guide to finding trials and treatment options, the National Institute of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and Center Watch also offer a listing of mesothelioma clinical trials.
- Benefits of Mesothelioma Clinical Trials: There is no question that without mesothelioma clinical trials the development of new procedures and medicines would come to a virtual standstill. However, this may or may not be of much concern to a newly diagnosed mesothelioma patient facing a prognosis of a short median survival time. While, it is true that clinical trials are somewhat altruistic, i.e. they benefit your fellow man, the next victim of mesothelioma, this shouldn’t be the primary motivation for participating in trials. With almost no “standard” treatments for mesothelioma in the medical kit bag, clinical trials are the most effective and sometimes the only way a new patient can access state-of-the-art treatment.
- Risks of Mesothelioma Clinical Trials: Regardless of phase, all clinical trials entail some risks to the patient. The primary risk is that the treatment may not work and the patient may continue to get worse. Also, because trials are offered in limited settings, being in a trial may involve additional time, travel, expense and effort on the part of the patient. Since one of the primary objectives of a clinical trial is to establish the safety of the treatment, it stands to reason that some participants may experience side effects that could range from discomfort to life-threatening.
If you have mesothelioma, call us at (888) 422-8877 or contact us anytime online.