Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Jesse Diaz of Zeeland, Michigan was diagnosed with stage four peritoneal mesothelioma in June 2007. He was given six months to live. Diaz went to see surgical oncologist Dr. Mathew Chung at Spectrum Health Hospital in Grand Rapids, who recommended a recent mesothelioma treatment called Hipec.

Chung described what he called the “shake as well as bake” procedure as using everything out, putting heated chemotherapy into the patient’s abdomen as well as actually shaking the patient to help the chemo circulate throughout the abdomen using a modified heart lung machine.

According to Chung, mesothelioma patients usually possess a five-year survival rate of less than 25%, but with the Hipec treatment, the five-year survival rate has tripled to 75%. Jesse Diaz has been cancer-free for two years following his treatment.

For the filled story, go to WZZM.