Pain in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Why are we conducting this research?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which tends to affect the lining of the lung and is often associated with exposure to asbestos. Patients with mesothelioma can develop a number of symptoms including pain. Sometimes the pain can be complex and variable in its severity and nature due to the mesothelioma affecting the chest wall and the nerves. As well as medications, particular treatments, such as radiotherapy, may be needed to help control pain. Occasionally, more complicated procedures, such as specific nerve injections undertaken by specialist doctors, are required to help manage pain. Previous research studies have shown that these procedures are safe and effective in reducing pain. They are often undertaken late in the course of the patient’s illness, however, on average about four to six weeks before the patient dies. At present, it is hard to know which patients with mesothelioma develop severe pain, at what point during their illness and who might need more support and interventions to help control the pain.
What will we do?
We want to work with an existing research team to conduct a smaller research study to see if it is possible to learn more about the pain which affects patients with mesothelioma. For example, we want to see if we can find out more about which patients develop pain, at what point during their illness, how severe the pain is, and what impact the pain has on patients quality of life. Finding out this information will help us know when in a patient’s illness the pain is more problematic and when we need to be more proactive in using more complex techniques to control the pain. It will also help determine whether or not further study into this area would be beneficial. When we have the results, we want to conduct an engagement event with patients who have mesothelioma, and their family carers to share the findings. We also wish to seek opinion about what we should focus on for future research in this area.
How are we getting on?
As of Jan 2023, over 110 individuals are part of the study. They have completed questionnaires about their pain and how it affects their quality of life and their mood. They will be part of this study until November 2023 when we will analyse the results and plan the engagement event.
If you are interested in knowing more, please contact:
Dr Catriona R Mayland
c.r.mayland@sheffield.ac.uk