New Study To Combat Mesothelioma Cancer Growths Caused By Biopsy

Feb. 17, 2016 - PRLog -- Patients undergoing an examination for mesothelioma cancer are potentially at further risk of developing new tumours at the part of the body where the procedure was performed. Around one in six mesothelioma patients who are given a biopsy - a tiny tissue sample collected by a hollow tube or needle - will go on to develop tiny skin lumps or growths along the path where the needle or other instruments were inserted.

Clinicians researching asbestosis treatments have carried out a number of studies into the biopsy procedure in a bid to try and reduce the potential risk of further tumour “seeding” of malignant growths.

Procedure to remove a small number of tissue cells

Patients suspected of having the asbestos-related cancer of the lung linings will be given a thorough diagnostic examination. Apart from X-rays and body imaging scans there is usually a procedure to remove a small number of tissue cells from the tumour site, which will be analysed under a microscope to provide a confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma.

There are several methods that can be used to obtain mesothelioma cells for a biopsy. If the tumour is small, a CT-guided needle biopsy is carried out or ‘keyhole’ surgery guided by a video-camera. A more invasive ‘open’ surgery involves making an incision of between four and ten inches to allow access to the affected site.

The possibility of causing new malignant growths is supported by previous research, which shows that following a diagnostic biopsy of a tumour, many patients developed cancer at multiple sites and malignant cells are detected circulating in the blood stream.

Cancer cells can easily become dislodged during a biopsy

Cancer cells not only divide uncontrollably but also lose their adhesion and will detach from a primary tumour to spread to adjacent tissues and organs. Consequently, cancer cells can easily become dislodged during a biopsy or surgical intervention.

Currently, hospitals try and reduce the risk of cancer cells forming with a type of radiotherapy treatment known as ‘prophylactic irradiation’ or PIT, which is applied to the part of the patient’s chest wall where the biopsy took place. However, doctors are still uncertain over the effectiveness of the PIT treatment and continue to carry out studies to assess patient progress.

“Clinically significant” reduction of growths

Recent research currently underway at more than six hospitals in the UK will randomly divide 374 mesothelioma patients into two groups – one  group to receive PIT radiotherapy while a control group will not receive the treatment. Doctors will still have the option to administer further treatments, such as chemotherapy.

The researchers hope to find a reduction in the number of new mesothelioma tumours appearing after the biopsies have been performed. It would be considered “clinically significant” if the incidence of growths on the chest had reduced from 15 per cent to 5 per cent after six months. Study results are expected to be made available by late 2016.

Higher cancer-free, progress survival

An investigation into the effectiveness of PIT treatment in 2011 looked at 171 pleural mesothelioma patients, of whom, forty-eight patients (28 per cent) had received irradiation and fifty-six (33 per cent) given chemotherapy. Initial results showed significantly higher cancer-free, progress survival in the PIT patients, which was not influenced by chemotherapy.

After six months, the progress-free rate was 91 per cent for patients with PIT and 74 per cent for those without PIT. The results from further, follow-up results found  that tumours had appeared in six patients (13 per cent) of the PIT group compared to 40 patients (33 per cent) in the group without the radiotherapy.

The study researchers concluded that the use of PIT to treat mesothelioma, post-biopsy, can reduce the spread of the cancer cells while chemotherapy did not seem to have an influence on the outcome.

Eliminating the risk of creating further tumour formation

Helping a mesothelioma patient to have the best possible chance to extend and improve the quality of their remaining life has always been dependent on the early detection of malignant growths. The less invasive biopsy is a standard technique in modern diagnosis and eliminating the risk of creating further tumour formation is, therefore, crucial.

Clinicians seeking the total reduction in the risk of further tumours being caused by the procedure will be looking towards the publication of the 2016  study results.