15th May 2008 the BBC reported that chemotherapy treatments which aim to prolong patients' lives and reduce suffering from asbestos-related cancer do not work, UK researchers suggest.
Mesothelioma, caused by asbestos exposure, is usually incurable, but some specialists hope chemo could delay death and improve quality of life.
The study in the Lancet found hundreds of patients saw no benefit. However, a US expert said other combinations of chemotherapy drugs could work better.
Treatment for mesothelioma is aimed principally at reducing its symptoms, and hopefully slowing down the progression of the illness.
The latest study looked at 409 patients, mainly from the UK, who were all given these standard treatments.
Some were additionally given doses of chemotherapy, and the effect on their disease compared.
While the chemotherapy patients did live slightly longer on average than those given just standard treatment, the researchers said the finding did not represent statistical proof, and could be misleading.
To read the full story please click on the link below:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7402650.stm
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