Last Friday, October 5, we made our second and final stop on the 2018 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma tour in New York City! Executive director Mary Hesdorffer, NP and Board of Directors’ chair Dr. Marjorie Zauderer kicked off the one-day conference by welcoming attendees and providing a quick overview of the Foundation’s work in research, education, support and advocacy. Mary stressed the importance of the Mary Jo Lawyer Spano Mesothelioma Patient Registry Act of 2017 and encouraged all attendees to raise awareness of the patient registry bill with their elected officials
The Foundation’s director of development Michael Braeuninger then thanked the conference sponsors for their generous support and introduced Heather Von St. James, a mesothelioma warrior and advocate, to give a special and heartfelt tribute to Dr. David Sugarbaker, a beloved mesothelioma surgeon and researcher, who passed away in August.
Each conference session included a moderated panel of expert speakers followed by Q&A.
A short recap of each session is below.
Pleural Surgery – Do’s and Don’ts
Joe Friedberg, MD; Chuong Hoang, MD, and Raja Flores, MD
Moderator: Valerie Rusch, MD
Dr. Hoang spoke on pleural mesothelioma diagnosis, on the different histologies of the disease, and on staging while Dr. Flores explained the surgical options available to a pleural patient — talc pleurodesis, PleurX catheter, palliative pleurectomy, pleurectomy/decortication, and extrapleural pneumonectomy. Finally, Dr. Friedberg gave an overview of additional treatment modalities available in combination with surgery, including radiation, photodynamic therapy, heated intraoperative chemotherapy,
Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Variations on a Theme
Garrett Nash, MD; Paul Sugarbaker, MD, and Andrea Cercek, MD
Moderator: Gleneara Bates, LMSW
Switching from pleural to peritoneal mesothelioma, the next panel of clinicians moderated by Gleneara Bates, LMSW, gave a similar background on diagnosis and staging of the disease. Considered a pioneer in hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), Dr. Paul Sugarbaker explained the procedure and his surgical philosophies. The panel further discussed their decision-making processes when it comes to treating this even more rare type of mesothelioma.
Supportive Care: Navigating the Ups and Downs of Treatment
Karen Bartlett, RN; Gleneara Bates, LMSW; Lora Mosca, and Sandy Robb
Moderator: Mary Hesdorffer, NP
While discussing supportive care, Sandy Robb, a mesothelioma warrior and Board of Directors member, shared his mesothelioma story and his insights from a patient’s lens. Lora Mosca, who hosts our monthly Caregiver Support Group telephone calls, shared common issues that caregivers report while tending to their loved one(s). Concluding the session, Gleneara Bates, a licensed social worker, stressed the importance of psychosocial support for both caregivers and patients.
Systemic Therapies: Choosing Wisely
Evan Alley, MD; Jamie Stevenson, MD; Patrick Forde, MD; Marjorie Zauderer, MD
Moderator: Dan Sterman, MD
While there is currently only one FDA-approved first-line therapy for mesothelioma — a chemotherapy combination of Alimta (pemetrexed) and cisplatin — the panelists dove into other available systemic options such as other chemotherapeutic combinations as well as immunotherapy. The panel focused on the concept of patients and clinicians “choosing wisely” therapies that are supported by evidence.
Clinical trials: When is a Trial the Right Choice?
Leslie Tyson, NP and Ali Massey, RN
Moderator: Melissa Culligan, RN
Clinical trials compare the most effective known treatment for a specific cancer with a new approach, which can be a new drug, a combination of drugs, a new treatment or a different way of using approved treatments. The panel explained the importance of understanding the phases of a clinical trial (Phase I-IV) and what all is involved with a trial. Before moving into Q&A, it was emphasized that patients should never worry about asking too many questions. Ask until you are satisfied.
Radiation Oncology: What, When, Where and Sometimes How?
Ken Rosenzweig, MD; Andreas Rimner, MD; Erica Glass, NP
Moderator: Chuck Simone, MD
This panel discussion focused on why radiation is used as a therapy (to decrease pain, stop bleeding, decrease cough/wheezing and prevent instrument tract recurrence) and the types of radiation therapies currently available — photon, proton, electron and particle radiation. During the Q&A, the panelists helped attendees understand how to plan for radiation therapy and the potential side effects.
Tumor Board
Evan Alley, MD; Chuck Simone, MD; Prasad Adusumilli, MD; Patrick Forde, MD and Dan Sterman, MD
Moderator: Marjorie Zauderer, MD
In this session, our experts reviewed the case of a generally healthy 63-year-old man who was experiencing a cough and shortness of breath for three weeks. The panel walked attendees through the patient’s medical condition, treatment options available to him, and each doctor’s treatment recommendation.
Conference Conclusion
Wrapping up the conference and looking ahead, Mary gave the dates for the 2019 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma (March 25-27) and invited attendees to the rooftop cocktail reception with beautiful city views of the Big Apple.
On Saturday morning, our bereaved community gathered for a special Celebration of Life ceremony and lunch in memory of their lost loved ones.
Thank you to the generous sponsors of the 2018 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma: Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., Bristol-Myers Squibb; Simmons Hanly Conroy; Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney, Meisenkothen; Belluck & Fox, LLP; Boehringer Ingelheim, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, The Ferraro Law Firm, Selecta Biosciences, The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., and Vogelzang Law P.C.
