Caring for Patients with Mesothelioma: Principles and Guidelines

This book encompasses all areas for mesothelioma care, treatment, and research. Using nurses, social workers, surgeons, oncologist, radiologist and pain specialist to give the reader a comprehensive overview of mesothelioma treatment.   

Indeed, mesothelioma is a cancer that mainly affects the pleura and peritoneum, usually caused by exposure to asbestos. The number of individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma is increasing world-wide, particularly in developing countries where the use of asbestos remains uncontrolled. In spite of advances in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical approaches, mesothelioma remains resistant to treatment. According to the International Mesothelioma Interest group, overall survival has not improved; median survival times vary from one month to eighteen months. A small number of patients remain asymptomatic or with minimal symptoms for extended periods, and fewer live three years or more. Mesothelioma is often associated with difficult, intractable symptoms, particularly pain and difficulty breathing. Especially poor prognoses have been reported for those diagnosed with sarcomatoid rather than epithelioid histology, or with advanced disease, poor performance status, or pain and loss of appetite. Despite substantial progress of the last two decades improving the quality of life of patients with cancer, many mesothelioma patients still experience physical, psychological, social, and financial burdens. The development of multimodality treatment and mesothelioma centers has given renewed hope to patients. This book serves as a unique tool for medical professional while providing care for mesothelioma patients.

Mary Hesdorffer received her undergraduate degree at the College of New Rochelle in New York and went on to receive her Masters of Science at the same institution. She is a Nurse Practitioner and spent nearly 20 years actively treating patients with mesothelioma. Ms. Hesdorffer has an expertise in the development and implementation of clinical trials. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and she has lectured both nationally and internationally on the topics pertaining to mesothelioma with particular emphasis on clinical trials as well as symptom and disease management.

Ms. Hesdorffer has been a strong voice in urging increased transparency to the medical and legal issues surrounding mesothelioma with a strong emphasis on ethics. She is passionate in her commitment to the treatment and management of this disease and hopes to increase awareness of the need to advance the science that will lead to a cure. Mary is the Executive Director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. 

Gleneara E. Bates-Pappas, LMSW, is currently a doctoral student at CUNY Graduate Center, an adjunct lecturer at Columbia University School of Social Work, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, New York University Silver School of Social Work and a psychological counselor at CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies. She received her bachelors degree from the University of Arizona in political science and economics minoring in Africana studies and went on to receive her master, basic science and legal training from Columbia University. 

Her doctoral research explores the environmental risk factors for lung cancer mortality among racially ethnic minorities living in New York. Her current research projects aim to elucidate the bio-physiological aspects of tumor resistance in response to chemotherapy and the use of telemedicine to improve quality-of-life and cognitive function in post-treatment cancer survivors. In addition to exploring ways to use virtual and augmented reality to reduce anxiety during treatment in pedantic oncology patients.

As a cancer researcher, she managed a translational research laboratory at Columbia University Medical Center where she conceptualized and conducted research on heat shock proteins and their role in tumor resistance in response to chemotherapy and the role of platinum agents in inducing checkpoint inhibitors related to tumor progression on the quality of life of patients and their primary caregivers during and post-treatment. In addition, she serves on the American Society of Clinical Oncology Cancer Survivorship Committee and The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer Smoking Cessation Committee