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Top Physicians and Scientists Meet for 2nd International Symposium on Lung-Sparing Therapies for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

LOS ANGELES, May 16, 2012 — At the 2nd Annual Symposium for Lung-Sparing Therapies for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma held this weekend at the Sheraton Delfina in Santa Monica, CA, international experts again re-affirmed the general consensus that radical operations which remove a patient's lung, such as extrapleural pneumonectomy, do not have a place in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma and may, in fact, do harm.

Dr. Robert Cameron, Director of the UCLA Mesothelioma Comprehensive Research Program and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, led the symposium. Dr. Cameron has been a leading proponent of lung-sparing pleurectomy/decortication surgical procedures for nearly 20 years.

The distinguished faculty at this meeting included Dr. Anne Tsao from M.D. Anderson, who presented exciting information about targeted and chemo-therapy; Dr. Raja Flores from Mt. Sinai Medical Center described his personal journey from extra pleural pneumonectomy to pleurectomy/decortication; Dr. Courtney Broaddus from the University of California, San Francisco, presented truly innovative basic biology findings; and Dr. Jim teWaterNaude from the University of Cape Town gave a stirring account of the asbestos situation in South Africa.

The attendees included numerous physicians, nurses, researchers, as well as mesothelioma victims and their families.

"This symposium brings the best scientific and medical minds together to advance the treatment of mesothelioma," said Clare Cameron, executive director of The Pacific Meso Center at The Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute. "The quality of the speakers and the information they shared was both interesting and educational and every faculty member thought the day was exceptional." Clare went on to say that there already has been interest from several other speakers around the world to present their findings at the next international symposium, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2013.

About The Pacific Meso Center:

The Pacific Meso Center (PMC) is a division of the Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit medical research institute established in 2002, which is focused on the treatment and prevention of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The exploration of innovative ideas forms the foundation of PMC's unique research program and provides the promise of future treatment breakthroughs. PMC is dedicated to educating the public on asbestos-related diseases and informing them of their best treatment options. PMC also connects newly diagnosed patients with patients that have been through treatment and provides assistance and emotional support.

For further information, please contact:

Clare Cameron
310-478-4678
Email
http://www.pacificmesocenter.org

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